February 20, 2013
Translated by Pang Lei

New emission standards for six heavily polluting industries in certain areas of the country were discussed at a meeting chaired yesterday by the head of China's Ministry of Environmental Protection Zhou Shengxian (周生贤).

The new measures will soon apply to 47 large cities scattered across 19 of China's 31 provincial-level regions.

The industries targeted are coal-fired power plants, steel mills, oil refineries, cement factories, metal refineries and chemical projects.

New emission limits could come into effect for any new coal-fired power plants and steel refineries approved after March 1 this year.

Existing coal-fired power plants operating in the region will be given until Jul 1, 2014 to meet certain unspecified emission standards. Existing steel smelters have until Jan 1, 2015

Links and Sources
Ministry of Environmental Protection: 周生贤主持召开环境保护部常务会议
听取关于建议在重点控制区实施大气污染物特别排放限值的情况汇报