China has closed 213 factories in its inland provinces and
autonomous regions over the past three years to reduce industrial
pollution, according to a statement from the State Environmental
Protection Administration (SEPA) in Beijing on Thursday.
Another 873 factories in the provinces of Shanxi and Shaanxi, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region were shut down
pending renovation, according to the administration.
"The total investment in renovation and construction of
environmental protection facilities is 1.43 billion yuan (about
US$181 million)," the administration said.
The statement said the three-year campaign, intended to reduce
industrial pollution in the four provinces and regions, has
affected 1086 factories. 409 out of the 873 factories ordered to
carry out reconstruction work have now resumed production after
passing a government examination. The others are still closed
down.
The administration is urging local governments to step up
supervision of the factories, saying that negligence has resulted
in excessive industrial pollution.
It said that 40 government employees, who were involved in
industrial pollution cases, received administrative sanctions
during the campaign. Two were removed from their posts and another
two are under judicial investigation.
(Xinhua News Agency October 6, 2006)