In view of the fact that around one third of sewage in Chinese cities were directly discharged without disposal, Vice Minister of Construction Qiu Baoxing strongly criticized local government officials for adopting wrong urban construction guidelines and only focusing on immediate interests and image construction.

 

A survey shows that among the 600-odd Chinese cities, over 230 report zero sewage disposal. Qiu indicated at the press conference held by the State Council Information Office on the 16th that direct sewage discharges in the above cities not only causes serious pollution but drawbacks for water recycling.

 

"What have caused zero sewage disposal?" Qiu pointed out that the main reason is local government officials' wrong urban construction guidelines. To be specific, they put emphasis on immediate interests, economy and image construction above the ground, but ignore long-term sustainable development, environmental protection, underground pipeline and network construction, and sewage disposal.

 

Qiu indicated that this problem is being tackled, as the State Council just issued an important document concerning environmental protection, which requests all local governments to begin with water pollution prevention and control while carrying out the above document. Local governments which refuse to do so will be punished.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 18, 2006)