The General Plan for air pollution prevention and control, funded by the Government of Norway, has been launched in north China's Shanxi Province.

The goal of the program is to establish an air quality management system and devise ways to reduce air pollution in the region.

The 23-month project will involve nearly US$1.43 million in total investment, including nearly a donation of US$1.1 million from Norway.

Experts believe that the program will help to train technicians and professionals for the local environmental protection sector and also reduce the gap between Shanxi and some developed nations in terms of air quality management.

It is the first time that the system will be used in China's provincial-level regions. It is expected that the cooperation between the governments of China and Norway will act as an example for other parts of the country to further the environmental protection efforts.

(Xinhua News Agency 10/22/2001)