All friends from news media,

Today is the World Environment Day. UNEP identifies the theme of World Environment Day 2007 as "Melting Ice: A Hot Topic". In respond to this theme, we have identified the Chinese theme of World Environment Day 2007 as "Emissions Reduction and Environmentally Friendly Society" based on the real environmental situation of China. The main contents of this news briefing are about 2006 Report on the State of the Environment in China with detailed information distributed to you. Here, I would like to introduce to you the following three points:

1. State of the Environment in 2006

Under the situation of 10.7% growth of GDP and 9.3% growth of energy consumption, the overall environmental quality of China maintained stable in 2006. The overall quality of surface water across China is under intermediate pollution. Among 745 river sections under national surface water quality monitoring program, 40% meet Grade I~III National Surface Water Quality Standard, 32 meet Grade IV~V Standard, and 28% fail to meet Grade V Standard. In the seven big rivers in the mainland of China, the Pearl River and Yangtze River enjoy good water quality. The Songhua River, Yellow River and Huaihe River are under intermediate pollution, while the Liaohe River and Haihe River are under heavy pollution. The water of Taihu Lake and Dianchi Lake fail to meet Grade V standard and Chaohu Lake meets Grade V water quality standard. On the whole, the water quality of concentrated drinking water sources of key cities is good. According to monitoring results of 382 concentrated drinking water sources of 107 key cities, 72.3% water samples meet national water quality standard. The quality of most coastal waters of China is good with heavy pollution in local areas. But distant sea waters have rather good quality. 67.7% coastal waters meet Grade I~II National Marine Water Quality Standard, 8% meet Grade III standard and 24.3% fail to meet Grade III standard. The South China Sea and Yellow Sea enjoy good coastal water quality. But the coastal waters of the Bohai Sea are subject to slight pollution and that of East China Sea to intermediate pollution.

Among 559 cities under national monitoring program, 4.3% meet Grade I National Air Quality Standard, 58.1% meet Grade II National Standard, 28.5% meet Grade III Standard and 9.1% fail to meet Grade III Standard. Compared with last year, the percentage of cities with air quality meeting or superior to Grade II National Standard goes up by 4.7 percentage points, the percentage of cities with air quality failing to meet Grade III National Standard reduces by 2.1 percentage points. The overall urban air quality in China has certain improvement. Urban areas have relatively good acoustic environment quality across China compared with in 2005. The radiation environmental quality across China is good.

Up to the end of 2006, there were 2,395 various nature reserves at different levels across China with total area of 151.535 million ha. 

2. Progress of Environmental Protection in 2006

Under the guidance of the outlook on scientific development, each province (autonomous region or municipality) and sector has earnestly carried out the Decision of the State Council on Implementing the Outlook on Scientific Development and Strengthening Environmental Protection and the spirit of the Sixth National Conference on Environmental Protection over the past year with increasing efforts.

With the approval of the State Council, National Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Air Pollution and National Teleconference on the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution have been held. Entrusted by the State Council, SEPA has signed the emissions reduction target responsibility documents with the people's government of each province (autonomous region) and six key power corporations including Huaneng in order to divide the reduction targets at different levels. SEPA has carried out special law enforcement inspection on drinking water protected areas with more than 7,600 water source areas inspected and over 1,400 pollution sources threatening the safety of water sources banned or removed. Many salient environmental problems with long-term threats to drinking water safety have been solved.

We have earnestly carried out the environmental impact assessment system and the "three synchronizations" system; comprehensively streamlined the newly constructed fixed-assets-investment projects and phased out a great number of lag-behind technologies, equipment and productivities. In 2006, SEPA checked more than 2,400 projects that have been approved since 2000. It seriously handled 136 projects that put into operation without check and acceptance; suspended or rejected the approval of 163 projects, 3.6 times of the amount last year. As an important means in improving macro regulation and optimizing industrial structure, environmental access has played increasingly important role in curbing too fast growth of the investment in fixed assets and improving the quality of economic growth.

We have continued our special environmental campaigns for streamlining enterprises with infringement of pollution discharge and ensuring public health and drastically investigated and sanctioned a group of environmental infringements threatening public interests. A total of 1.67 million person-time law enforcement officials have been mobilized across China with more than 72,000 enterprises inspected and 28,000 cases filed. The authority has put over 50,000 various kinds of typical environmental infringements on the list for supervision. A total of more than 1,900 industrial parks have been inspected involving about 30,000 enterprise, more than 4,000 of them have been investigated and sanctioned due to environmental infringements. With "reviewing activities", we have checked more than 7,500 construction projects in chemical and petrochemical industries and inspected environmental risks. After inspection, we have put forward streamlining requirements to near 3,800 such enterprises and urged the investment of over 14 billion yuan to improve environmental facilities and conditions and reduce environmental risks. 

We have appropriately handled various sudden environmental accidents in a scientific way.  Our work in such aspects as ecological conservation, supervision and management of nuclear and radiation safety as well as international environmental cooperation has been deepened. The "Five developments" -- namely the idea development, organization development, work style development, professional development and system development of all environmental protection institutions at all levels have enjoyed further progress. The basic ensuring capacity in environmental protection and workforce development has been strengthened.

3. Emissions Reduction of Major Pollutants

The Outline of the 11th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development sets the compulsory targets of reducing energy consumption per unit GDP by 20% and total emissions of SO₂ and COD by 10% in 2010 compared with that of 2005.

Under the wise leadership of CCCPC and the State Council, SEPA, all provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities, departments and relevant key enterprises have attached great importance to emissions reduction work and taken many feasible measures since early 2006. The emissions reduction target has been divided and fragmented to local and industrial authorities at different levels for implementation. In addition, the development of urban sewage treatment infrastructure has been accelerated and the construction of sulfur removal facilities of coal fueled power plants made historic breakthrough. As a result, the increase rate of the emissions of major pollutants has an evident reduction. This indicates the guiding role of the compulsory targets in emission reduction.

In 2006, the installed capacity of generating sets with desulfurization facilities in operation in coal fueled power plants across China reached 104 million kW, more than two times of the total installed capacity (46 million kW) of such generating sets of the past 10 years. As a result, the proportion of generating sets with desulfurization facilities to all thermal generating sets rose from 12% in 2005 to about 30% in 2006. Newly added urban sewage treatment capacity across China has exceeded 12 million tons/day. And urban sewage treatment rate reaches 57.1%, up by 5.1 percentage points than that of last year.

According to statistics, the total discharge of COD in 2006 reached 14.2856 million tons, up by 1.02% than that of 2005. Total SO₂ emission was 25.894 million tons, up by 1.57% than that of 2005. These are quite similar to our estimated growth at the beginning of this year, which are 1.2% growth of COD and 1.8% growth of SO₂ emission. The emissions of major pollutants in 2006 were on rising trend but with increase rate dropped by 4.6and 11.6percentage points respectively compared with that of last year.

Next, I would be happy to answer your questions. 　

[Journalist of Lianhe Zaobao, Singapore] Regarding the blue algae pollution in the Taihu Lake, local government thought it as natural disaster. But environmental NGOs considered it as human caused disaster. If the latter is true, what kind of responsibility the polluter will shoulder? For example the head of relevant enterprises and local officials being responsible. Yesterday, Minister Ma Kai of NDRC said here that environmental protection performance is one of the examination indicators for local officials, I would like to know if China will employ the one-note rejection system similar to that for family planning officials for environmental officials? We have observed that officials are very active in following the requirements for family planning performance, I'd like to know if this system would be applied for examining the performance of environmental officials? Today's newspaper reports that Mr. Wu Lihong, called as the Guard of Taihu Lake by the local and still in custody, reported the inaction of local environmental officials to the government, we would like to know if the relations between SEPA and civil environmental activists is the kind of partner or opponent?　　

[Vice Minister Zhang Lijun] You asked three questions. I will answer them one by one. The first question is about the outbreak of blue algae in the Taihu Lake. It is true that the outbreak impose serious impacts on the life and production of Wuxi City. The CCCPC and State Council attach great importance to this problem. Premier Wan Jiabao and Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan have made important instructions. According to the instructions of the two premiers, SEPA organized experts to investigate the blue algae pollution in the Taihu Lake on May 23~24. In discussion with Jiangsu Provincial Government and Wuxi Municipal Government, SEPA has put forward the emergency response program.　　　　

[Vice Minister Zhang] As for the outbreak of blue algae in Wuxi, we think it both natural and artificial. In the natural aspect, water level of the Taihu Lake in Wuxi is lower than the historical average indicating less water. Another reason is warm winter last year. The monthly average air temperature in Wuxi this April is about 20℃, suitable for the growth of blue algae. Those are natural factors. However, artificial factors are also important. The concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in the water of the Taihu Lake are quite high.　　　

[Vice Minister Zhang] The control of pollution in the Taihu Lake over the past years has improved the water quality of some waters in the lake. But the improvement occurs in COD, while the levels of nitrogen and phosphorus have been not under effective control. In 2006, the average concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in the central lake area increased by 2 and 1.5 times compared with that of 1996. The concentration of algae chlorophyll in some waters of the Taihu Lake has been as high as 230 μL per liter since May of 2007, creating the fundamental conditions for algae growth. The Taihu Lake is on the trend of overall eutrophication. Therefore, we could say that both natural and artificial factors lead to the outbreak. 　

[Vice Minister Zhang] In view of the algae outbreak in the Taihu Lake, SEPA and Jiangsu Provincial Government, Wuxi Municipal Government and relevant departments jointly discussed the emergency response program which has the following main measures. First, we will initiate the water replenish mechanism and introduce the water of the Yangtze River into the Taihu Lake making its water level at an appropriate height, thus creating conditions for the reduction of algae. Second, we will divide the water areas, establish enclosure dikes in order to reduce the inflowing blue algae and arrange special people to salvage the algae. This is because dead algae create smell in the water.

[Vice Minister Zhang] Third, we will enhance the supervision and management on the discharge of nitrogen and phosphorus, identify all enterprises that discharge of nitrogen and phosphorus into the lake, order the stop of the operation of the enterprises with the discharge beyond the standard. All the enterprises that meet the discharge standard will limit their operation or discharge according to the carrying capacity of the lake in terms of nitrogen and phosphorus levels. Meanwhile, SEPA requires Jiangsu Provincial Government to stop the approval of all new projects that discharge of nitrogen and phosphorus into the Taihu Lake basin. Fourth, in view of the water bloom this year and the potential of future algae outbreak in Wuxi, the Central government requires that local government develop emergency response program for algae outbreak. Fifth, based on foreign experience in the control of blue algae, we will study the feasibility of procurement of algae salvage ship for the Taihu Lake basin. That is to say, we will study how many such ships are needed to salvage the algae in case of the initial outbreak so that we could minimize its expansion and consequent hazard.

[Vice Minister Zhang] Jiangsu Provincial Government and Wuxi Municipal Government attach great importance to the outbreak, too. They have taken a number of strong measures and restored normal water supply for urban residents in Wuxi. In the future, SEPA will do well the following three tasks: 1) SEPA in cooperation with the State Council and local government will revise the 11th Five-Year Plan of the Taihu Lake Basin for the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution and implement it after the approval by the State Council. 2) We will hold work meeting on the prevention and control of water pollution in the Taihu Lake Basin. We will put forward some source targeted measures based on the real pollution situation of the Taihu Lake. 3) We will continue guide local governments to do well the prevention and control of blue algae in the Taihu Lake in the last 6 months this year.

[Vice Minister Zhang] Now I answer your second question. The Chinese Government has already mainstreamed environmental protection into official performance examination system, this is quite clear. In family planning, one note rejection is carried out for local officials, so is environmental protection. However, there are some difference between environmental protection and family planning work. There are many factors leading to environmental pollution. Therefore, there are different requirements for performance examination. For environmental protection, we not only examine the performance, but also account the responsibility of the officials who violate environmental laws and regulations. The Ministry of Supervision and SEPA have jointly issued the Regulations on the Investigation of Administrative Responsibilities of for Environmental Infringements, which is implemented across the country.

[Vice Minister Zhang] Now I answer your third question. Regarding Mr. Wu Lihong in Yixing, Jiangsu Province, according to our understanding, Mr. Wu was arrested by local police due to suspected criminal offence. If relevant journalists are interested in this case, you could request it to Yixing public security agency. As for environmental activists or people concerned about the environment, environmental protection departments always regard them as our friends and partners, rather than opponents or enemies. Thank you.

[Journalist from CCTV] The theme of the World Environment Day of China this year is "Emission Reduction and Environment-Friendly Society". Now emission reduction has caused wide social attention. My question is, what measures SEPA will take in the near future to ensure the achievement of the environmental targets specified in the 11th Five-Year Plan period?

[Vice Minister Zhang] You asked a good question. CCCPC and the State Council attach great importance to emission reduction work. The State Council held a Teleconference on Energy Saving and Emission Reduction on April 27. At the meeting, Premier Wen Jiabao made national mobilization and overall arrangements for energy saving and emission reduction work. In the end of May, the State Council issued the comprehensive program on energy saving and emission reduction. At present and in the near future, SEPA will carry out the spirit of Premier Wen's remark at the meeting and the comprehensive program of the State Council. In specific, we will finish the following 8 tasks.

[Vice Minister Zhang] First, guide local governments to develop emission reduction program and annual reduction plan so that the emission reduction work is fragmented. Second, help relevant department to speed up the phasing out of the productivity with high pollution and energy consumption in order to realize the reduction through structural reform. Third, urge local governments and key pollution emission enterprises to accelerate the development of pollution control facilities so as to realize emission reduction by projects. Fourth, enhance environmental supervision and management, intensify environmental law enforcement, control pollution increment, raise the percentage of enterprises that discharge pollutants according to the standards so as to realize emission reduction through management. Fifth, in cooperation with relevant departments develop economic policies conducive to emission reduction and form the incentive and constraint mechanism. Sixth, speed up the development of the statistic system, monitoring system and examination system in relation to emission reduction. Seventh, identify the responsibilities of local governments and key enterprises for emission reduction and carry out strict accounting system. Eighth, actively promote public participation in the reduction of major pollutants. With the above measures, we believe that the 10% reduction of major pollutants during the 11th Five-Year Plan period will be certainly met. Thank you for your question.

[Journalist of the Wall Street Journal] Because it is hard for me to raise questions, I will ask three questions, sorry for that. My first question is about the green GDP. In the news release today, we have not seen any further assessment on green GDP. I would like to know if you are considering making public the information about green GDP? If not, what's the reason? My second question, would you please give us an overall evaluation of the general quality of the environment of China. My personal feeling is that the overall environmental quality is degrading. My third question has something to do with CO₂. The national emission reduction targets in the 11th Five-Year Plan do not touch CO₂, do you have some considerations about the reduction of CO₂?

[Vice Minister Zhang] Now I answer your first question. The information about the state of the environment of China issued today does not cover the findings on green GDP in China. This is because SEPA and National Statistic Bureau are assessing the achievements of green GDP of the trail cities. The authority will release the findings in appropriate way after the assessment.

[Vice Minister Zhang] Your second question is about the environmental quality of China. I would like answer your question in two aspects. As I mentioned in the beginning, water environment of China is under intermediate pollution. On the whole, water pollution in China is rather stable, there is neither improvement, nor any degradation. The evaluation on the quality of water environment involves many pollution factors. Taking COD for example, water quality has improved in this aspect. Now, ammonia nitrogen becomes one of main water pollutants in China. As for air quality, we can say that urban atmospheric quality in China has been improving. In 559 cities monitored, the percentage of cities with air quality meeting or superior to Grade II national air quality standard is up by 4.1 percentage points and that with the quality inferior to Grade III standard down by 2.1 percentage points as compared with that of last year. This illustrates that urban air quality of China is improving.

[Vice Minister Zhang] Regarding CO₂ issue, the Chinese Government has clearly identified the compulsory target of 20% reduction of energy consumption per 10,000 yuan GDP. This aims to reduce the intensity of CO₂ emission. I think that Minister Ma Kai of National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has answered relevant questions of journalists yesterday. So, journalists interested in this issue could read relevant information provided by NDRC.

[Journalist of the U.S. Bloomberg] I have three questions, too. The first question, you said the pollution indicators like ammonia nitrogen are rising, where do there ammonia nitrogen pollutants come from? In other words, which enterprises should take more stringent measures to reduce their discharge? The second question, you just mentioned that the government has a five-year plan to gradually reduce these pollutants. If the pollution discharge is rising, how could China achieve the reduction targets? The third question, senior officials like Minister Zhou Shengxia said that China is facing some challenges for achieving the 10% reduction target. My question is, can you confirm that China will meet the 10% reduction target?

[Vice Minister Zhang] Regarding the first question, I mentioned a moment ago that ammonia nitrogen concentration in water environment is rising. The main reasons are the followings: 1) Some industrial enterprises have unstable discharge of ammonia nitrogen with big releasing amount. In addition, national standard for the discharge of ammonia nitrogen is relatively low. 2) The discharge of urban sewage. Right now, 57% urban sewage is treated. However, early sewage treatment plants do not have the capacity in removing nitrogen and phosphorus. This is one reason of the rise of ammonia nitrogen level. 3) The pollution of the scaled livestock and fowl farms has not undertaken good treatment. 4) The agricultural non-point pollution is mainly due to the excessive application of fertilizers.

[Vice Minister Zhang] Targeting these problems, we have made clear the treatment requirements and work program in the 11th Five-Year Plan and near future. First, we will raise the ammonia nitrogen discharge standard for industrial enterprises. Second, we will urge these enterprises to carry out tertiary treatment in order to achieve stable discharge. Third, based on water flow in the river basin, we will add phosphorus and nitrogen removing equipment in urban sewage treatment plants group by group. Fourth, we will treat the pollution from the collective livestock and fowl breeding farms with certain scale. Fifth, we will extend the fertilizer application practice based on soil conditions in order to reduce fertilizer consumption. With these measures in place, I believe the rising trend of ammonia nitrogen pollution will be reversed.

[Vice Minister Zhang] Now I would answer your second question. It is true that total emission of major pollutants in China last year increased. Just as I mentioned, COD went up by 1% and SO₂ by 1.5%. However, there is big reduction in the rising pace compared with that of 2005. This shows the guiding role of the policy of the Central government on 10% reduction. Last year, each local government and key polluting enterprise attaches great importance to energy saving and emission reduction and develop energy saving and emission reduction facilities. In last year, the total capacity of newly built coal fueled power plants and put into operation with sulphur removing devices reached 104 million kW, which is an unprecedented speed in the world. 104 million kW is more than 90% of the total capacity of all power generating sets in the United States with desulfurization devices. This is the development figure only in last year. For sewage treatment, the total capacity of all new sewage treatment plants in the last year exceeds 12 million t/d. Sewage treatment rate has gone up from 52% to 57.1%, up by 5 percentage points, also very fast in the world.

[Vice Minister Zhang] Because most of these pollution treatment facilities were put into operation in the fourth quarter or end of last year, they could not contribute to emission reduction of the last year. However, the first quarter of 2007 witnessed their role in emission reduction. The development pace of emission reduction facilities was accelerated in the quarter. For example, new desulfurization capacity of old pollution sources of thermal power plants reached 19 million kW in the first quarter of 2007. And total capacity of sewage treatment plants under construction was over 6 million t/d. This year, we will make more efforts in industrial restructuring. With more new pollution treatment facilities, increasing industrial restructuring and enhancement of the capacity in environmental supervision and management, I don't think there is any question in achieving the 10% reduction target. Let me put it this way, there will be a tipping point of total emission of pollutants later this year. I am not sure of the percentage in reduction. But I am sure the pollution emission will go down this year compared with that of 2006. This will be the first time over the past few years that China enjoys decrease of the total emission of major pollutants. 

[Journalist of the Beijing News] I have two questions. First, what is the objective to the policy on ecological restoration of the Songhua River basin? It is said that the policy on ecological restoration will be extended in other big river basins, do you have a schedule for that? Second, you mentioned a moment ago that energy consumption and emission will certainly go down by the end of this year, do you have some primary data on the emission of major pollutants now? How does SEPA ensure the authenticity of the pollution data reported by local authorities?

[Vice Minister Zhang] Now I answer your first question. The objective of ecologically restoring the Songhua River was put forward by SEPA Minister Zhou Shengxian at the Work Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution in the Songhua River Basin held on May 10. The aim of the restoration is the improvement of the water quality of the Songhua River basin by the end of the 11th Five-Year Plan period. It is expected that the ecological environment of the basin will be totally recovered in the next 15 years achieving the goal of green mountains and clear water.

[Vice Minister Zhang] To meet this objective, Minister Zhou presents 6 measures. Targeting the work on the prevention and control of water pollution in the Songhua River, SEAP has put forward some new thinking or ideas after summarizing past experience. These ideas and some new experiences in the prevention and control of water pollution of the Songhua River will be extended in other river basins. Just a moment ago, I mentioned that we are going to hold a meeting on the prevention and control of water pollution in the Taihu Lake basin. This meeting will be the first prevention and control of water pollution meeting at river basin level after that of the Songhua River Basin. It is expected that this meeting will learn some good experience and practices of the Songhua River Basin in terms of prevention and control of water pollution. 

[Vice Minister Zhang] Now I answer your second question. Talking about the tipping point in 2007 and the total emissions of major pollutants will surely go down by the end of this year, SEPA has analyzed the pollution data of the first quarter which is not made public. According to the report data of each province and the estimate by SEPA, total emission of SO₂ began going down by 0.3% with slight increase of COD with rapid growth of high-energy-consumption enterprises and products. Therefore, the tipping point will appear later this year with further industrial restructuring.

[Vice Minister Zhang] As for the authenticity of local data, we mainly take the following measures to ensure the authenticity. First, we carry out on-line reporting system for key pollution sources under national monitoring program. That is to say, this covers more than 6000 key pollution sources across China, accounting for over 65% total pollution load. The pollution data of these key enterprises reports directly to SEPA. Second, we will enhance the development of the statistics system, monitoring system and examination system. One important thing is that we carry out on-line monitoring for key polluting enterprises with the data directly reporting to SEPA. The quality of monitoring data is ensured by the calibration of automatic monitoring equipment by local environmental monitoring departments each quarter. Third, we will bring the roles of 6 regional supervision centers of SEPA into full play. They review the pollution reduction facilities built by each province and key enterprise once in every 6 months. The reduction amount is estimated by the monitoring and reviewing results. Therefore, the data authenticity is guaranteed. Thank you for your question.

[Journalist of the Macao Daily] Drinking water security & safety is the top priority of the environmental protection work of both SEPA and China. In recent years, there are frequent occurrences of marine water invasion and tides in coastal areas near Macao and Zhuhai, imposing some threats to the security of drinking water for local residents. It is said that this has something to do with both climate change and environmental protection. I would like to ask you, what kinds of measures SEPA has taken or will be taken to address the problem?

[Vice Minister Zhang] It is true that drinking water security & safety is the top priority of the environmental protection work, because it matters public health and lives of people. Therefore, it is the top priority of our environmental protection departments. SEPA has engaged in drinking water security & safety over the past years and taken it as the key task for special environmental protection actions in the past two years. Last year, the special environmental protection actions aimed at addressing the pollutant discharge outlet problem in Grade I protected areas for drinking water sources and demanded the closure of all such outlets by the end of 2006. This year, it is required in our special environmental protection actions that all pollutant discharge outlets in Grade II protected areas for drinking water sources built after the year 2000 be closed by the end of the year. This fully demonstrated the determination of the Chinese Government in guarantee the safety of drinking water.

[Vice Minister Zhang] You mentioned the impacts of marine water invasion and tides on the safety and security of drinking water in Macao. This impact is not alone in Macao, the Pearl River delta including Zhuhai, Guangzhou and Foshan also suffer from this problem. The cause of this problem involves many complex factors including both the impacts of climate change and the water upstream. To address this problem, we need sufficient scientific review and feasibility study. Right now, this problem is under study. Thank you for your question!