Environment chief vows to add muscle

Giving environmental monitors and law enforcers more muscle will be the top priority for Zhou Shengxian, when he takes up his new position as minister of environmental protection.

Speaking at the 2008 National Environmental Law Enforcement Conference yesterday in Beijing, Zhou said setting up a law enforcement system of "iron and steel" was top of his agenda.

The meeting might have been the last under the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) banner, as the new ministry positions will be announced on Wednesday, Zhou said.