Almost half of Chinese cities are relatively or heavy polluted

The air of 48.1 percent of Chinese cities is relatively severely polluted or severely polluted, mostly by grain-sized particles of dust.

It was predicted that by 2010 coal burning will produce more than 35 million tons of sulfur dioxide across China. The figure will reach 43.5 by 2020.

The sharp increase of soot and dust in the air will put greater pressure on the environment.

The State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) will establish a preventative control system for regional pollution, said Zhang Lijun, vice president of SEPA, at the ongoing International Seminar on Regional Air Quality Management.

SEPA will also strictly control the quantity of discharged pollutants, promote desulfurization at heat-engine plants and improve air quality, said Zhang.

The seminar kicked off in Beijing on Monday, sponsored by SEPA, the US Environmental Protection Agency and the European Commission DG Environment.

By People's Daily Online