Higher-level action needed if local authorities cannot stop polluters

BEIJING NEWS REPORTED ON THURSDAY that the dust and sewage from an iron ore processing factory in Urad Middle Banner, Bayannuur, in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, have caused serious pollution in adjacent pastures, and contaminated the Moleng River downstream. China Daily reporter Li Yang comments:

This is not the first time that western Inner Mongolia has made headlines because of environmental pollution.

Five years ago, industrial parks of the Alshaa Left Banner - which were constructed supposedly to promote the circular economy - were found to be discharging industrial waste water directly into the Tengger Desert forming four "evaporation ponds" that covered an area of nearly 20 soccer fields.