China's Worsening Air Pollution Problem (Photo : Getty Images)
On Wednesday, China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) said that more than two dozen northern cities will be subjected to a strict one-year air quality inspections. The largest national-level inspection is one of the MEP’s responses to China’s growing pollution problem.
According to the ministry, around 5,600 environmental inspectors will be deployed to verify if the pollution control targets and emission standards are implemented in Beijing, Tianjin, and 26 smaller cities in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and other close areas.
The investigation and shutting down of businesses that violate pollution standards, the seasonal decrease or stopping of production in some industries, and the installation and operation of pollution monitoring and control devices will also be checked by the environmental authorities.
The MEP assured the public of “systematic” inspections with increased pressure on local officials. Violators of environmental laws and regulations will receive no tolerance as pledged by the ministry.
A number of local governments and businesses were identified and shamed in another statement issued by the ministry. The names were released after the MEP’s most recent investigation conducted by seven teams to cities including Beijing, Tianjin and Shijiazhuang.
The rubber plant owned by Sinopec Beijing Yanshan Company along with other enterprises was denounced for “inadequate pollution control efforts.” Some governments, such as those of Tangshan City and Yutian County, were criticized for doing little or nothing on pollution concerns.
Enterprises that forged information, as well as governments with insufficient plans in addressing pollution issues, were also revealed by the ministry.
China has begun increasing its efforts to cut pollution. In January, Chinese cities had more smoggy days, with northern cities having the worst cases.
In the first quarter of the current year, the MEP charged special air quality inspections. Since then, the authorities have checked the deteriorating quality of air in various parts of the country, the ministry said.
