Dear Colleagues,

In light of the requirements of the Circular of the State Council on the First National General Survey of Pollution Sources (hereinafter referred to as Circular), the investigation begins on Dec. 31, 2007. That is to say, we must finish the preparatory work by 2007. So the task is urgent and arduous. In order to fulfill this task, I now lay out the following requirements:

I. Enhance understanding of the significance of investigation of pollution sources and build up sense of urgency

The Circular of the State Council carries distinct feature of the time and practical significance. The Circular clearly identifies the significance of the first national investigation of pollution sources: national investigation of pollution sources is a major review of national conditions and important means to understand China's environmental situation. Complete information on pollution sources and pollutant discharge may help us to correctly judge the environmental situation and develop scientific environmental protection policies and plans, effectively carry out top cap control plans and substantially improve environmental quality and improve our capacity for environmental supervision and law enforcement to ensure national environmental security. It is also useful to strengthen macro control and economic restructuring and promote the building of resource-conserving and environment-friendly society. Now environmental protection enters a new stage for historical transformation. In the past year, the State Council released Decision of the State Council on the Implementation of the Outlook on Scientific Development and Strengthening Environmental Protection and the 6th National Conference on Environmental Protection was held. The Eleventh National Five-Year Development Guidelines for Economic and Social Progress adopted by the National People's Congress set out the binding targets of reducing total discharge of major pollutants by 10% within five years. Premier Wen Jiabao made specific requirement at the Central Economic Working Conference "we must step up efforts to establish a scientific and unified indicator system, monitoring system and evaluation system for energy consumption per unit of GDP and total discharge of major pollutants so that the two binding targets of energy conservation and pollution reduction are measurable." Obviously the task is very daunting. In face of the severe challenge, we deeply feel that the basic work of environmental protection is very weak and cannot keep up with the situation. This has seriously affected the development of environmental cause. Environmental statistics and monitoring are two outstanding issues. The monitoring statistics are not supported by strong database, efficient timing and quality data and fail to clarify the total discharge of pollutants, total reductions and meet the need of data testifying 10% cut in total discharges. If the situation is not changed as soon as possible, the problem will directly restrain the development of environmental protection and undermine public trust in our data and the authority of environmental departments. We will hardly make any achievements.

A weak foundation rocks the earth and shakes the mountain. The first national investigation of pollution sources is both a major review of national conditions but also a basic work with overall significance and strategic importance in the field of environmental protection. Therefore all departments and organizations should carefully examine and carry out the requirement of the Circular, discern the urgency and challenge of this task and make active efforts to cooperate with related departments for better preparation and arrangement.

II. Identify measures and motivate the whole ministry to get prepared for the first national investigation of pollution sources

The first national investigation of pollution sources is a large program that calls for the initiatives of central and local governments and concerted efforts of all colleagues. A successful investigation will create favorable conditions for the fulfillment of the pollution reduction and lay a solid foundation to further improve our capacity.

First, we will strengthen leadership of the first national investigation of pollution sources. The Central Committee and the State Council highly value the investigation and the State Council has established a leading team to strengthen leadership. In light of the requirement of the Circular, SEPA has established a leading team office and its branch, i.e. the work office for the first national investigation of pollution sources. SEPA plays a vital role in making the investigation a success. We have decided to establish a coordination team to strengthen inter-department coordination and motivate all the staff. I will act as the team leader, Comrade Li Ganjie and Wang Yuqing as deputy team leaders. The team consists of principals of related departments and organizations.  

All departments and organizations should take the investigation as their priority and the principal should attend to related affairs. SEPA needs to connect its routine work with pollution source investigation to attain greater achievements. Publicity and education should be put as top priority of the three programs of pollution source investigation, macro strategic study of environment and water environment improvement. We must stimulate all environmental workers through investigation and publicity to revive environmental cause. The investigation office must urge local departments to establish leading groups and branches headed by the responsible vice Governor, clarify responsibilities, strengthen networking and form a linking mechanism.

Second, we must spare no time in making preparations for the prophase work such as document preparing and team building.

We must make more efforts to prepare, print and circulate the overall program and related technical specifications and work procedures for the national investigation. First, we will fully review and improve the overall program. Second, we will lose no time to prepare, print and circulate related technical specifications and work procedures. Third, we will strengthen scientific research, make breakthroughs in technologies and organize experts to examine major technological issues. We will capitalize on industrial technical advantages and current science and technology results to prepare handbooks on calculation of materials, pollution generation and discharge coefficient as well as the national investigation campaign to provide technical support for it. Fourth, we will make more efforts to develop software for data collection and analysis. We will give play to the role of national environmental advisory board and science and technology board. Experts from the two boards will be invited to review major documents and technical specifications for the investigation.

We must strengthen team building for the investigation and improve the quality of staff through investigation work. Currently some excellent staff in our departments and organizations have been transferred to the investigation work office. We must take care of their political life, welfare and difficulties in work to ensure they can concentrate on their life and bring their talents into full play.

Finally I want to stress that the investigation data will be independent of the emission reduction target set out in the Eleventh Five-year Plan, the target responsibility system and pollution discharge fee system. It does not serve as the basis for punishment and charging against investigation subjects in order to maintain the objectivity and accuracy of data. All departments of SEPA should consider how to apply the investigation results and proceed from national strategy to make macro policies on strengthening environmental protection and implementing Scientific Outlook on Development. We will select and finance a batch of projects after investigation.

I believe under the correct leadership of the State Council and the concerted efforts of all departments and organizations concerned, we are sure to overcome all difficulties and complete our investigation with success.