CHINA is falling short of people’s expectations in battling smog, Premier Li Keqiang admitted yesterday, vowing that the government would confront its air pollution problem.

“The Chinese government is determined to tackle smog and pollution,” he said at an annual meeting with journalists at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.

“The progress we have made still falls short of the expectations of our people.”

One year ago, the premier pledged that China would declare “war on pollution” and Mr Li said yesterday that Beijing was determined to continue its efforts.

“We will continue to track down and pursue polluting companies,” he said.

“Environmental authorities must not suffer interference from industry and should be brave enough to take on responsibility.”

The National People’s Congress — China’s parliament — has been at pains to stress the importance of environmental protection.

Mr Li expressed disbelief at continued corporate avoidance of the issue.
“They must have already noticed it. But why do they continue to ignore the policies made by the state?” he asked.

Illegal emitters, “no matter what type of company they are,” will “pay a price too high to bear,” Mr Li warned, adding that the enforcement of China’s environmental law must not be soft.

China’s cities are often hit by heavy pollution, which is generally blamed on coal-burning by power stations and industry, as well as on vehicle use.

The issue has become a major source of popular discontent and the government has vowed to reduce the proportion of energy derived from fossil fuels.

Last month, former Chinese state media journalist Chai Jing released a hard-hitting independent documentary on the country’s air pollution problem.

The 103-minute video investigation Under the Dome racked up more than 155 million views on mainland Chinese video streaming sites just a day after its release.

Environmental Protection Minister Chen Jining praised the video, telling reporters that it should “encourage efforts by individuals to improve air quality.”

But days later the documentary was taken down from mainstream video sites and Mr Chen did not address it in a news conference during the National People’s Congress.
international@peoples-press.com