Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan has ordered local governments to
take effective measures to curb water pollution which remains a big
threat to public health and social stability.
Speaking at a televised conference of the State Council on
pollution control, Zeng asked local governments to display
"absolute determination" to solve water pollution as the
environment targets set for the next five years are looking
increasingly difficult to attain.
The Chinese government has announced that it will invest 1.4
trillion yuan (US$175 billion) in environmental protection between
2006 and 2010. The money will be spent on water pollution control,
urban air quality maintenance, solid waste disposal and soil
erosion prevention.
"The environment prices we have paid for rapid economic growth
are too high," Zeng said. "Excessive waste water is discharged,
health hazards caused by water pollution frequently occur and many
regions do not have a stable supply of drinking water."
At the tele-conference, Hebei and other eight provincial and regional
governments signed liability letters with the State Environmental
Protection Administration vowing to reduce water pollution.
Zeng said local governments should restructure industries so
companies that discharge excessive industrial waste are gradually
reformed or shut down.
Surveillance of waste discharge should be established for over
3,200 key firms and higher pollution control qualifications should
be established for new firms, Zeng added.
Zeng also called for faster construction of sewage plants in
urban areas. By 2010, more than 70 percent of urban waste water and
60 percent of household waste water should be treated through these
plants, he said.
In addition, local governments should improve their ability to
deal with health hazard emergencies in order to keep the risks of
environmental crises to a minimum, Zeng said.
(Xinhua News Agency July 24, 2006)