China to launch pollution survey in February: state media

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2008

BEIJING (AFP) — China, which is facing serious environmental problems due to its booming economic growth, will next month launch its first nationwide survey to identify pollution sources, state media said Saturday.

The survey, to be completed in the first half of 2008, will assess the sources of industrial, agricultural and residential pollution, said Zhou Shengxian, director of the State Environmental Protection Administration.

The results will be revealed in the first half of 2009, Zhou told a meeting of the State Council, or cabinet, on Friday, the Xinhua news agency reported.

The data "will be an important basis for environmental protection" and "an important step toward an environment-friendly society," Xinhua quoted Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan as telling...