(July 12, 2001) Chinese officials frequently pledge tighter regulations and tougher punishments to try to curb pollution, but analysts are hopeful that the document issued Wednesday by the State Council will carry more weight.

(Excerpt)

Beijing: China published a wide-ranging plan to tackle environmental degradation on Wednesday, addressing an issue that has become a threat to the country’s breakneck economic growth, its social stability and its citizens’ health. Chinese officials frequently pledge tighter regulations and tougher punishments to try to curb pollution, but analysts were hopeful that the document issued by the State Council, or cabinet, would carry more weight. … The State Council regulations focus on water, air and soil pollution and set targets to improve the environment in heavily polluted cities and regions by 2010 and across the country by 2020. They also aim to take environmental factors into account when evaluating local officials, who have been accused of stonewalling environmental initiatives in an effort to instead focus on economic growth.

Reuters, July 12, 2001