A factory at which an industrial accident caused six deaths was forcibly demolished recently in China's northern Hebei Province adjacent to Beijing. Other polluters were also punished.

Sources said that in the first half of this year industrial cases handled by provincial authorities resulted in 87 factories being suspended, 32 shut down and 70 being ordered to right wrongs. Fines imposed reached 660,000 yuan (US$79,740).

The operation was a major part of the province's "Environmental Protection Year" program, which aimed to improve environmental problems in the province. Great efforts have been made to curb and ban air and water pollution across the province, said Hebei's Environmental Protection Bureau.

China has realized its environmental situation is generally serious and is determined to punish polluters who violate the law.

Punishments include fines, suspensions, license withdrawals, and closures.

(ChinaEnvironment.com July 22, 2002)