China cleanup bill: 1.6% of GDP

Some US$162 billion, or 1.6% of the country's GDP over the next five years, will go to clean up the environment and prevent further damage, the South China Morning Post reported, citing Mao Rubai, director of the Environment and Resources Protection Committee of the National People's Congress. Speaking at a forum on Sunday, Mao said the budget would be just enough to control mainland pollution. This is the first time the projection has been made public since it was approved by the NPC in March. The new budget is 0.2% higher than the 1.4% of GDP spent in 2004. China's massive growth in recent years has been accompanied by ever-growing pollution woes.