Chinese gov't receives 1.148 mln complaints on environmental pollution since 2003: white paper

    Chinese environmental authorities at various levels have received 1.148 million complaints on environmental pollution through the hotlines since 2003, a government white paper said on Monday.

    This shows the Chinese government stresses protection of the environmental rights of the public, according to the white paper, titled "Environmental Protection in China (1996-2005)" and issued by the Information Office of the State Council.

    By the end of 2005, hotlines for environmental pollution reports covered 69.4 percent of the administrative divisions above the county level. Of the 1.148 million complaints, 97 percent have been dealt with, and 80 percent of the people making such complaints in major cities said they are satisfied with the results.

    Along with the public's increasing awareness of the importance of environmental protection and demand for a better environment, the number of complaints lodged by letter or interview about infringements on the people's environment-related rights keeps increasing, says the white paper.

    From 2001 to 2005, the environmental authorities across the country received more than 2.53 million letters and 430,000 visits by 597,000 petitioners, accepted and handled 673 proposals from deputies to the National People's Congress and 521 motions from members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

    The government also made public information on the environment, it says.

    By the end of 2005, all cities at the prefecture level or above had realized automatic monitoring and daily report of air quality.

    The quality of water is monitored in key river valleys, and monthly reports of the water quality in ten major river valleys and weekly reports of automatic monitoring results are released. Monitoring of the water quality of the eastern section of the South-North Water Diversion Project is conducted regularly.

    Regular and irregular press conferences are held for timely informing the pubic of environmental situation, major environmental protection policies, and emergencies and misconducts in this regard.

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