Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan has urged local governments to push
forward industrial restructuring and take effective measures to
curb pollution.
China's commitment in reducing energy consumption and cutting
pollution is "unalterable", said Zeng during his inspection tour in
central Hunan Province from May 29 to May 2.
Local governments must carry out the policy and fulfil the goal
with full efforts, Zeng said.
Dongting Lake, the country's second largest freshwater lake, has
suffered serious pollution in recent years.
Earlier this month, more than 100 paper mills that discharge
chemical waste into the lake were ordered by Hunan authorities to
be closed after they failed to live up to promises to reduce
pollution.
Zeng urged local governments to continue such efforts and take
more measures to promote the environmental-friendly industry and
technology.
China has set a goal to slash its energy consumption per unit of
domestic gross product by 20 percent and the discharges of sulfur
dioxide (SO2) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) by 10 percent
between 2006 and 2010.
During his four-day tour in Hunan, Zeng also visited factories,
residential communities and farmers.
He urged local authorities to be more attentive to the concerns
of the public and help solve their difficulties, especially in
housing.
(Xinhua News Agency May 4, 2007)