(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2007-07-12 11:27

The State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) announced that it will suspend approval of construction projects in eight provinces and autonomous regions in China due to environmental concerns.

The environmental watchdog said it has decided to delay approval of construction projects in the regions, listed below, all of which had seriously violated environmental laws and regulations.

Projects that focus on pollution prevention and treatment and economic development are exception.

SEPA also said the polluting projects in the areas must be environmentally-friendly in three months or the watchdog will continue to delay the approval.

The administration also required local environmental agencies in the involved regions to suspend approval of polluting projects according to the country's environmental policies.

China has recently adopted a slew of measures to curb pollution created by rapid economic development.

In December 2006, eight ministries including the National Development and Reform Commission, SEPA, and the Ministry of Land and Resources jointly issued a notice checking newly launched projects.

The notice imposed punishment for those projects not up to environmental protection requirements, including possible suspension of approval and State investment.

The regions mentioned in the administration’s notice are: the Lanzhou High- and New-Tech Development Zone and Baiyin City in Northwest China's Gansu Province, the Wuhu Economic Development Zone and Bangbu and Chaohu cities in East China's Anhui Province, the Puyang Economic Development Zone and Zhoukou City in Central China's Henan Province, Hejin City and Xiangfen County in North China's Shanxi Province, the Industrial Park of Shenxian County in East China's Shandong Province, Bayannao'er City in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Weinan City in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, and the Handan Economic Development Zone in North China's Hebei Province.