CHANGSHA, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Zeng
Peiyan has urged local governments to push forward industrial restructuring and
take effective measures to curb pollution.
China's commitment in reducing energy consumption and
cutting pollution is "unalterable", said Zeng during his inspection tour in
central Hunan Province from May 29 to May 2.
Local governments must carry out the policy and
fulfill the goal with full efforts, Zeng said.
Dongting Lake, the country's second largest
freshwater lake, has suffered serious pollution in recent years.
Earlier this month, more than 100 paper mills that
discharge chemical waste into the lake were ordered by Hunan authorities to be
closed after they failed to live up to promises to reduce pollution.
Zeng urged local governments to continue such efforts
and take more measures to promote the environmental-friendly industry and
technology.
China has set a goal to slash its energy consumption
per unit of domestic gross product by 20 percent and the discharges of sulfur
dioxide (SO2) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) by 10 percent between 2006 and
2010.
During his four-day tour in Hunan, Zeng also visited
factories, residential communities and farmers.
He urged local authorities to be more attentive to
the concerns of the public and help solve their difficulties, especially in
housing.