Satellites to focus on small polluters

Ongoing inspections continue to find violators; 'hot grid' adds another tool

The Ministry of Environmental Protection will put greater emphasis on high-tech satellite monitoring to identify pollution sources efficiently, using a grid system put in place late last year, according to the official in charge of the effort.

Now, the ministry will use its "hot grid" system, based on the satellite technology, to target more polluters - including small, unregistered, scattered companies that are operating illegally, said Li Wei, head of the ministry's department in charge of the grid system.