Chemical factory causes citizen reaction

Despite assurances of environmental safety, experts and locals alike are wary about a petrochemical plant planned for west China's Three Gorges Reservoir area.

"I suggest holding a referendum, as this kind of project cannot be decided by a small group of people," said a netizen named Jialin from Shanghai.

BASF, the German petrochemical giant, said yesterday it expected the Chongqing petrochemical plant to be approved by the Chinese government before the end of 2009.