Wen calls for environmental curbs on industry

Premier Wen Jiabao said there should be more curbs on energy-dependent or polluting industries, state media reported. The premier said economic growth would not be sustainable if the country fails to adjust its economic structure, alter its growth mode and reduce energy consumption. "We are left with no choice but to develop in an economical, clean and safe way," he said during a late April speech that was publicly released Monday. Wen said the country will tighten land use and credit supply, set stricter rules for market access and higher environmental standards for new projects. About 70% of the country's industrial energy goes into producing power, steel, refining oil, chemicals, construction materials and metals. Emissions of sulfur dioxide from those six areas jumped 20.6% in the first quarter of the year, 6.6% higher than in 2006. "We will continue to curb the energy-guzzlers by further adjusting export rebates, levying more export tariffs, and reducing export quotas," Wen said.