[sustran] China to spend $16 bln to tackle Beijing pollution crisis

[Vinay Baindur]

http://www.firstpost.com/world/china-to-spend-16-bln-to-tackle-beijing-pollution-crisis-679306.html


*China to spend $16 bln to tackle Beijing pollution crisis*
by Mar 30, 2013



SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China will spend 100 billion yuan over three years to
deal with Beijing's pollution, an official newspaper reported on Friday, as
the government tries to defuse mounting public anger over environmental
degradation.


Beijing's government has pledged to improve sewage disposal, garbage
treatment and air quality, as well as crack down on illegal construction,
the China Daily newspaper said, citing a three-year plan released on
Thursday.

Air quality in Beijing, a city of around 20 million people, has mostly
stayed above "very unhealthy" and "hazardous" levels since the beginning of
this year.

Pollution was one of the key themes at the recent National Party Congress,
where China's new leaders were confirmed. Many Chinese feel the government
lacks bite when it comes to enforcing policies designed to protect the
environment.

Beijing's plan includes laying or upgrading 1,290 km (800 miles) of sewage
pipeline, building five garbage incineration plants, setting up 47 water
recycling plants and upgrading 20 sewage disposal plants, said China Daily.

Beijing Mayor Wang Anshun called on the government to allow the private
sector to participate in these investments.

The government also plans to curb illegal construction and land use, and
will compile a list of illegal buildings for demolition next year, Beijing
Deputy Mayor Wang Wei told China Daily.

Most of China's major cities are plagued by pollution of one sort or
another. Earlier this month thousands of dead pigs were found floating in
one of Shanghai's main water sources.

(Reporting by Adam Jourdan; Editing by Stephen Coates and Miral Fahmy)