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Tough action sought on polluting industries
By Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-08-23 22:31 The State Environmental
Protection Administration plans to crack down on steel producers that cause
serious ecological problems in Hebei Province's Tangshan region.
Pan Yue, vice-minister of the administration, said the environment is being
damaged by officials who ignore environmental protection measures.
He said prosperity can not be built at the cost of environmental pollution
and ecology must be a priority when promoting sustainable development of the
regional economy.
The serious pollution has led to complaints from local residents.
Working on a tip-off, the country's environment watchdog dispatched a group
to inspect several enterprises in the region and the result was shocking.
The investigation revealed that all seven examined steel companies lacked
environmental protection approval and were built illegally.
Also, as none of the factories had facilities to deal with pollutants,
drainage was also a problem.
Much of the production equipment used was out of date and prohibited by the
State.
To make things worse, some enterprises were currently establishing laggard
producing facilities.
Pan Yue said these companies naturally go after maximum profits.
The local steel industry has been booming since 2000.
While the local officials hail the fast growth of the economy, they often
overlook the polluted environment and damaged ecology, Pan said.
China has laws on environmental protection, but for a long time they have not
been fully adhered to or effectively enforced by local government officials.
As local government's pursuit of economic growth and protectionism often
takes an upper hand over environmental protection, a regional economy is thus
developed that puts little value on environmental protection.
The obsolete mode of industrial development should be abandoned and the local
government should take a leading role in pushing a healthy and scientific
economical development.
Pan said tougher punishment is necessary to cure this persistent disease of
pollution.
Pan said heavy polluted steel enterprises would be shut down and severe
financial penalties imposed to deter illegal behaviour.
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