China has closed 213 factories in its inland provinces and
autonomous regions over the past three years to reduce industrial
pollution, according to a statement from the State Environmental
Protection Administration (SEPA) on Thursday.
Another 873 factories in the provinces of Shanxi and Shaanxi,
Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region
were shut down pending renovation, according to the
administration.
"The total investment in renovation and construction of
environmental protection facilities is 1.43 billion yuan (US$181
million)," the statement said.
The three-year campaign, intended to reduce industrial pollution
in the four provinces and regions, has targeted 1086 factories.
Totally 409 out of the 873 factories ordered to carry out
reconstruction work have now resumed production after passing
government examination. The others are still closed down.
SEPA is urging local governments to step up supervision of the
factories, saying that negligence has resulted in excessive
industrial pollution.
It said that 40 government employees, who were involved in
industrial pollution cases, received administrative sanctions
during the campaign. Two were removed from their posts and another
two are under judicial investigation.
(Xinhua News Agency October 6, 2006)