The latest governmental circular has banned the burning of coal in all new and renovated construction on the outskirts of Beijing, a new rule made by the municipal government to spread the use of clean energy and protect the environment.

The government encourages all enterprises in Beijing's suburban areas to rebuild coal-fueled systems and began to consume pollution-free energy resources, such as natural gas.

Those who finish the reconstruction project by the end of 2002 will get preferential treatment on reduction or exemption of urban infrastructure construction fees, according to the circular.

Statistics showed that some 1,500 coal-fueled boilers in eight districts of Beijing were remodeled to use clean fuels last year, along with the renovation of some 7,000 boilers and similar devices in the city's suburb. The drive was regarded as helpful to improving the city's air quality in 2000.

The 3,000-year-old city has been suffering from a deteriorating environment since the early 1990s as a result of urban expansion and a population explosion.

To tackle the problem, the Beijing municipal government has taken a number of measures since the late 1990s, including controlling air pollution, reducing coal consumption, applying stringent auto emission rules, and increasing green space, to improve the air quality.

In 2000, about half of the year saw Beijing's air quality reach or exceed Level 2, or satisfactory, and Beijingers say they have found that the sky is clearer and the water tastes better.

(People's Daily 02/25)