Strict Policies to Protect Urban Environment: Official

China will adopt stricter policies to protect the environment in cities, Construction Minister Yu Zhensheng said Friday.

Yu made the remark at an international environment protection forum, which opened in Beijing Friday and is part of the ongoing Beijing International High-Tech Industries Week.

The minister said the country will integrate the development plans in cities and rural areas in order to share resources and responsibilities in protecting the environment.

In the next five years, China will increase the coverage of green land in cities. Green areas in the downtown areas of cities will reach 30 percent of their total areas, or 8 square meters for each person.

Yu said the country will stress the function of the market in resource distribution so as to improve water efficiency and energy use. The government will encourage the use of recycled water in cities and improve the efficiency of energy consumption in construction.

The minister noted the country will make strict technological standards to guarantee the enforcement of the policies concerning environmental protection.






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