Beijing hands stiff fines to polluters

Beijing handled 4,890 cases involving environmental pollution last year, 11 of which were prosecuted criminally, the city's ecology and environment bureau said on Friday.

According to the bureau, administrative penalties for environmental pollution totaled 137 million yuan ($21 million) in 2020. 

It also released details of the some cases to heighten the awareness of companies and the public. 

For instance, in September, Dongcheng district's ecology and environment bureau fined a restaurant 40,000 yuan after its non-methane hydrocarbon emission measured 43.1 mg per cubic meter, which is above the city's standard. 

In May, Pinggu district found a diesel truck at a checkpoint that had failed to meet the emission standard during its regular check. The police fined the driver 3,000 yuan.