The government plans to establish a comprehensive air pollution
monitoring network in south China's Pearl River Delta region within
five years. The plan awaits the approval of a key national
technology project meant for regional air protection in the
southern province of Guangdong early this year.
"This endeavor, which is the nation's largest scientific and
research project in terms of regional air pollution control, will,
by all means, help improve air quality in the PRD area," said Li
Qing, director of the Guangdong Provincial Department of
Environment Protection.
At the project's completion, they hope that the major sources of
air pollution in the region will be detected, Li said.
The Pearl River
Delta
Air pollution, especially heavy smog, has been plaguing the PRD
region, one of the most important industrial bases in the
nation.
"Most importantly, a self-innovation technology system in terms
of air pollution monitoring is expected to be set up after the
completion of the project and we will develop a technological team
consisting of young but experienced researchers," Li said, adding
that a group of leading Chinese environmental experts will also
take part in the project.
Li also revealed that some key technology and facilities to
control air pollution would be developed as part of the
project.
"The current air monitoring network in the PRD area is not in a
position to detect multi-sources of air pollution. So we have to
develop a more efficient system to detect all sources of air
pollution," Li said.
Some 150 million yuan (US$19.2 million) from the central
government's budget will be earmarked for the project, according to
Li.
In addition, Guangdong will also invest more than 150 million
yuan (US$19.2 million) in the project.
"It has so far been the nation's largest investment in an
environmental protection project and all money will be used
efficiently for development of state-of-the-art monitoring
facilities and hardware equipment," Li said.
All cities in the PRD region will get involved in the project
and a coordinative management system will be built, he added.
(China Daily HK Edition March 16, 2007)
