Action follows 'talks' with watchdog

The national environmental watchdog is flexing its muscles in implementing the toughest law on environmental protection since the new minister took office.

Four city governments with serious pollution have been invited in the past two months to talk about their supervisory activities.

The top leaders of the four cities admitted that serious pollution existed and promised to take swift and tough measures to solve the problem during the talks, which were a direct way for the central authorities to urge lower departments to redouble their efforts.