China's environment administration said on Thursday that a chemical plant of Jilin Petrochemical Company under China National Petroleum Corp. should be held responsible for the pollution of Songhua River.

Zhang Lijun, deputy director of the State Environmental Protection Administration said that the chemical plant experienced an explosion on Nov. 13 at a press conference today in Beijing.

China will also keep Russia informed on the conditions of Songhua River pollution after the polluted water passes Harbin.

"The two sides are making specific arrangements for opening a hotline for the matter," said Zhang.

(Xinhua News Agency November 24, 2005)