According to the People's Daily on August 14, China established an important standardized system for environmental protection during the period of the Tenth Five-Year Plan (2001-2006). These include standards to regulate heat-engine plants, air pollution from the cement industry, water pollution from medical institutions and pollutants emitted by light cars. A total of 321 standards and policies were issued between 2001 and 2006 and to date China has altogether 886 standards.

Zhao Yingmin, director of Science & Technology Department at the State Environmental Protection Administration, said standards would be devised and amended where necessary, focusing in particular on those industries responsible for serious pollution, overproduction and high energy consumption.

Zhao predicts about 1,400 standards will be formulated and revised during the period of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2006-2010).

By People's Daily Online