The Guangzhou government refuted a report in a local newspaper that Guangzhou has been listed in the world's top 10 polluted cities in an emergency news conference yesterday afternoon, eastday.com reported today.

The Guangzhou government felt so indignant and outraged about the false report in the media, which hurt 10 million Guangzhou people's feelings, a spokesman said. The report didn't quote any sources and didn't note any international measuring standard, he said.

Guangzhou has applied for model city in environmental protection nationwide, and only few cities are qualified for the application, said the government spokesman. So far, there isn't any authority worldwide to rank places of polluted cities, let alone the top 10 listings.

Guangzhou also contacted the State environment department yesterday, and got a definite answer they hadn't given the top 10 polluted cities before, nor had they offered related information. The Guangzhou government will retain its rights to take legal measures against the rumors, said the spokesman.

Guangzhou has made great progress in environment improvements in the last five years, he added.

(Eastday.com.cn 05/16/2001)