China has decided to ban the use of tetrachloride carbon as a detergent nationwide as from June 1 as part of its substantial effort to protect the ozone layer.

Enterprises, environmental protection and other related units who violate the rules and regulations issued in the circular from the State Environmental Protection Administration on the termination of the chlorinated compound will be subject to harsh penalties.

The ozone layer, a layer of the stratosphere 11-48 km above the earth's surface, has the highest concentration of ozone molecules, which effectively protect organisms on earth by absorbing high-energy solar ultraviolet radiation.

Since 1999, China has been gradually reducing its production of ozone-unfriendly fluorin and chlorinated compounds to show its resolve to protect the ozone layer.

In 1991, China became a signatory to the 1987 Montreal Protocol on the cessation of the use of ozonosphere-unfriendly chemicals. The country also drew up a plan in 1999 to phase out the production and consumption of CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) and gradually shut down the related businesses.

(Xinhua News Agency May 6, 2003)