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Wen calls on local governments to cut pollution

Premier Wen Jiabao has again spoken out on China's environmental problems, urging local governments to reduce energy-intensive and heavily polluting industries. Addressing a State Council meeting on Wednesday, Wen said authorities must learn from past pollution flashpoints such as recent crises over drinking water quality, the South China Morning Post reported, citing state media. He also admitted it would be difficult to achieve the cuts in energy consumption and pollution set out in the 11th Five-Year Plan. The State Council has issued a list of policy priorities to central and local governments for the second half of the year. These included stringent restrictions on 13 industries, including coal-fired power generation and cement works, that have seen strong growth this year but are responsible for polluting air and water.

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