China Strengthens Pollution Control in 2008     

The State Environmental Protection Administration has pointed out that local environmental protection departments should strengthen pollution control in 2008 and reduce the emission of sulfur dioxide and COD (chemical oxygen demand) by 6% and 5% respectively compared with 2005.
    China will increase urban sewage treatment capacity by 12.0 million t/d this year. The full collection and treatment of sewage will be achieved in 36 large and medium cities in 2008 and 2009. The installation of desulfurization facilities in existing coal-fired generating sets with a capacity of over 30 000MW will be completed.
    China will intensify environmental supervision. Production restriction, production suspension for rectification and even closure will be conducted to enterprises that do not conform to environmental protection requirements. Compulsory clean production assessment will be made to heavy-polluting sectors such as chemical and papermaking sectors and to enterprises that discharge pollutants beyond standard or produce and use toxic and hazardous substances.