Nation redoubles efforts against pollution

The central government has pledged to launch a national program to speed up efforts to control and improve the country's soil protection.

The pledge was made during an executive meeting of the State Council on Wednesday chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao.

At the meeting, the State Council decided to strictly protect the soil of farmland and nearby drinking water sources by bringing pollutants under control. In addition, it resolved to set up programs to rehabilitate polluted soil and to improve the supervision of soil.