A major paper mill in central China has been forced to suspend production by the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) for violating environmental laws and causing severe pollution to the local environment.
The Wuhan Chenming Hanyang Paper Industry Co., Ltd., in Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, has halted production under the order and its chairman of the board and general manager have been dismissed and demoted, respectively.
The paper company was warned by local environmental authorities about the pollution in 2001 but failed to correct the problem. Last month, the SEPA and five other central government departments sent a joint team to inspect the company and afterwards ordered it to suspend operation and install environmental facilities. The paper company is forbidden to reopen until it stops discharging waste into the river.
The company also has had its ISO14001 Certificate canceled.
An official with the administration pledged to further crack down on industrial polluters to ensure a sound environment for the people.
(Xinhua News Agency July 7, 2003)
