Wen: China is far behind on pollution goals

Chinese prime minister Wen Jiabao admitted that China is far behind on its goal to reduce energy consumption per unit of GDP by 20% and cut key emissions by 10% between 2006 and 2010, AFP reported. Speaking to an audience at the National University of Singapore, Wen said, "As the prime minister, I feel that reaching this goal is going to be
very difficult as the scope is huge." Despite the difficulties, Wen insisted that China will not change the current goal. From January to September 2007, China's pollution decreased 1.8% and emissions decreased 0.28%, Wen said, adding that this was the first time in more than 20 years that both levels had gone down. A September report by China's State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) said there was "no cause for optimism" about the Chinese government's ability to reach its five-year goal.