Green axe hangs over local officials

About 60 percent provincial and regional government officials' career success depends on their achievements in saving energy and protecting the environment, a top development official said yesterday.

The central government announced last year that local government officials' promotions would depend not only on economic growth, but also on their environmental efforts. Which means they will not be promoted if they fail to achieve their green targets.

Xie Zhenhua, vice-minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, said the progress made since is a "great achievement" despite some local officials' "slow response".