Pledge to cut pollution levels

China has pledged to cut the amount of sulphur dioxide, industrial dust and other major polluting wastes by 10 per cent in 2005, compared with 2000 levels. The State Council has approved government spending of Yn65bn on environmental control measures out of an estimated Yn700bn that will be spent nationwide in the five years to 2005.

“Never has the Chinese government put the environment issue in such an important position,” said Xie Zhenhua, director of the State Environmental Protection Administration, quoted by Xinhua.