Chinese Legislators Call for Improved Air Quality

Governments at all levels should make efforts to improve air quality, said Chinese legislators at the evaluation meeting for the "Draft of Amendment Law on Preventing Air Pollution."

According to a report issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), seven Chinese cities are on the list of the world's ten most polluted cities.

In 1998, over 70 percent of 47 Chinese cities still needed to improve their air quality, which was below state-set standards.

China amended the "Law on Preventing Air Pollution" three years ago, but the continuously deteriorating air has forced legislators to amend the law again. The draft submitted today adds stricter regulations on preventing carbon monoxide pollution, controlling urban dust, and managing sewage.

Jiang Chunyun, vice-chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, suggested that people should choose clean fuel that doesn't pollute, rather than the coal now in widespread use.

Cao Zhi, also vice-chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, said it is most important to improve people's understanding of environmental protection.


Please visit People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/