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BEIJING, Aug 11 (Reuters) - China plans to accelerate investment in technology to save energy and tackle the dire pollution blamed for a series of health crises that have generated widespread public anger.
The government has been increasingly alarmed by social unrest caused by environmental disasters and threats to public health, often the result of the country's breakneck industrial expansion and mass migration to new cities.
Smog over northern cities in January generated a public outcry, as did the discovery in March of thousands of rotting pig carcasses in a river that supplies Shanghai's water!!!!
The country's cabinet, the State Council, said on Sunday that environmental protection would be elevated to a "pillar industry" that would receive government support in the form of tax breaks and subsidies.
China is already investing 2.3 trillion yuan ($375 billion) in energy savings and emissions reduction in the five years through 2015, state media have said.
The State Council said the new plan would ensure the "environmental protection industry" grows by 15 percent annually, generating turnover of 4.5 trillion yuan ($735 billion) by 2015.
Past efforts to build such "pillar industries" have sometimes led to vast overcapacity and trade conflicts, with China's government accused of giving an unfair advantage to local companies.
The State Council said eligible foreign-funded firms would enjoy the same benefits from the environmental protection plan as their Chinese counterparts.
It said it would accelerate research into environmentally friendly vehicles and develop technology and equipment for the control of air, water and soil pollution.
The plan suggests China is accelerating efforts to become a world leader in clean technology. It has already announced a series of steps to curb pollution and reduce carbon emissions.
The central government will direct more of its budget to fund environmental protection industries and encourage eligible companies to issue bonds, it said.
($1 = 6.1230 Chinese yuan) (Reporting by Sui-Lee Wee; editing by Tom Pfeiffer)
Traffic moves along a street as pedestrians walk on an overpass shrouded in haze in Beijing, China, on Friday, March 15, 2013. China's new premier promised to crack down on corruption and clean up pollution, acknowledging the need to tackle two issues that have stoked public anger toward the country's leaders.
Traffic moves along a street as pedestrians walk on an overpass shrouded in haze in Beijing, China, on Friday, March 15, 2013. China's new premier promised to crack down on corruption and clean up pollution, acknowledging the need to tackle two issues that have stoked public anger toward the country's leaders.
Haze surrounds the International Commerce Centre (ICC) in the West Kowloon district of Hong Kong, China, on Monday, April 15, 2013. Hong Kong's air pollution index reached the "severe" level for the third time this year, triggering a government warning, as the lack of air flow trapped pollutants in the city.
Diesel fumes come out of a tug boat chimney as skyscrapers stand in the Wanchai district of Hong Kong, China, on Monday, April 15, 2013. Hong Kong's air pollution index reached the "severe" level for the third time this year, triggering a government warning, as the lack of air flow trapped pollutants in the city.
A man wears a mask as he walks down a street in Beijing, China, on Friday, March 15, 2013. China's new premier promised to crack down on corruption and clean up pollution, acknowledging the need to tackle two issues that have stoked public anger toward the country's leaders.
Traffic moves along a street shrouded in haze in Beijing, China, on Friday, March 15, 2013. China's new premier promised to crack down on corruption and clean up pollution, acknowledging the need to tackle two issues that have stoked public anger toward the country's leaders.
A woman wears a mask as she walks on a street in Beijing, China, on Friday, March 15, 2013. China's new premier promised to crack down on corruption and clean up pollution, acknowledging the need to tackle two issues that have stoked public anger toward the country's leaders.
Birds fly past Great Hall of the People on a polluted day during a plenary session of the National People's Congress in Beijing Friday, March 8, 2013. The outgoing head of China's legislature has praised the body for upholding the ruling Communist Party's leading role and for rejecting Western models of multiparty democracy. (Andy Wong / AP)
A woman holds her daughter, wearing a mask, while the family visit Tiananmen Square on a hazy day in Beijing, China, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. Pollution worsened in Chinas capital and surrounding regions on Thursday, as the countrys new leaders geared up for a major congress where experts expect pollution to be on the agenda. (Alexander F. Yuan / AP)
A Chinese paramilitary policeman adjusts his hat against the Great Hall of the People, on a polluted day, before a plenary session of the National People's Congress in Beijing Friday, March 8, 2013. The outgoing head of China's legislature has praised the body for upholding the ruling Communist Party's leading role and for rejecting Western models of multiparty democracy. (Andy Wong / AP)
This picture taken on January 29, 2013 shows a general view of buildings in the heavy smog in Jilin, northeast China's Jilin province. Beijing urged residents to stay indoors on January 30 as emergency measures were rolled out aimed at countering a heavy cloud of smog blanketing the Chinese capital and swathes of the country. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)
Chinese tourists look at the view from the historic Jingshan Park as smog continues to shroud Beijing on January 31, 2013. (MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Residents cross an overhead bridge during a hazy day in Beijing, China, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Residents walk past a parking lot packed with vehicles in Beijing, China, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Two Chinese policemen guard in front of two LED screens on the Tiananmen Square during severe pollution on January 31, 2013 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images)
A general view shows the Guotai Chambers building from the historic Jingshan Park as smog continues to shroud Beijing on January 31, 2013. (MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
A Chinese tourist takes photos from the historic Jingshan Park as smog continues to shroud Beijing on January 31, 2013. (MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Chinese tourists looks at the view from the historic Jingshan Park as smog continues to shroud Beijing on January 31, 2013. (MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Tourists visit the Tiananmen Square during severe pollution on January 31, 2013 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images)
A little tourist wearing a panda mask walk on the Tiananmen Square during severe pollution on January 31, 2013 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images)
A little tourist wearing the PM2.5 mask walk on the Tiananmen Square during severe pollution on January 31, 2013 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images)
The little tourists play on the ground with frozen ice at the Tiananmen Square during severe pollution on January 31, 2013 in Beijing, China.
China's Pollution Crisis To Be Tackled Head On With More Cash
The government has been increasingly alarmed by social unrest caused by environmental disasters and threats to public health, often the result of the country's breakneck industrial expansion and mass migration to new cities.
Smog over northern cities in January generated a public outcry, as did the discovery in March of thousands of rotting pig carcasses in a river that supplies Shanghai's water!!!!
The country's cabinet, the State Council, said on Sunday that environmental protection would be elevated to a "pillar industry" that would receive government support in the form of tax breaks and subsidies.
China is already investing 2.3 trillion yuan ($375 billion) in energy savings and emissions reduction in the five years through 2015, state media have said.
The State Council said the new plan would ensure the "environmental protection industry" grows by 15 percent annually, generating turnover of 4.5 trillion yuan ($735 billion) by 2015.
Past efforts to build such "pillar industries" have sometimes led to vast overcapacity and trade conflicts, with China's government accused of giving an unfair advantage to local companies.
The State Council said eligible foreign-funded firms would enjoy the same benefits from the environmental protection plan as their Chinese counterparts.
It said it would accelerate research into environmentally friendly vehicles and develop technology and equipment for the control of air, water and soil pollution.
The plan suggests China is accelerating efforts to become a world leader in clean technology. It has already announced a series of steps to curb pollution and reduce carbon emissions.
The central government will direct more of its budget to fund environmental protection industries and encourage eligible companies to issue bonds, it said.
($1 = 6.1230 Chinese yuan) (Reporting by Sui-Lee Wee; editing by Tom Pfeiffer)
Traffic moves along a street as pedestrians walk on an overpass shrouded in haze in Beijing, China, on Friday, March 15, 2013. China's new premier promised to crack down on corruption and clean up pollution, acknowledging the need to tackle two issues that have stoked public anger toward the country's leaders.
Traffic moves along a street as pedestrians walk on an overpass shrouded in haze in Beijing, China, on Friday, March 15, 2013. China's new premier promised to crack down on corruption and clean up pollution, acknowledging the need to tackle two issues that have stoked public anger toward the country's leaders.
Haze surrounds the International Commerce Centre (ICC) in the West Kowloon district of Hong Kong, China, on Monday, April 15, 2013. Hong Kong's air pollution index reached the "severe" level for the third time this year, triggering a government warning, as the lack of air flow trapped pollutants in the city.
Diesel fumes come out of a tug boat chimney as skyscrapers stand in the Wanchai district of Hong Kong, China, on Monday, April 15, 2013. Hong Kong's air pollution index reached the "severe" level for the third time this year, triggering a government warning, as the lack of air flow trapped pollutants in the city.
A man wears a mask as he walks down a street in Beijing, China, on Friday, March 15, 2013. China's new premier promised to crack down on corruption and clean up pollution, acknowledging the need to tackle two issues that have stoked public anger toward the country's leaders.
Traffic moves along a street shrouded in haze in Beijing, China, on Friday, March 15, 2013. China's new premier promised to crack down on corruption and clean up pollution, acknowledging the need to tackle two issues that have stoked public anger toward the country's leaders.
A woman wears a mask as she walks on a street in Beijing, China, on Friday, March 15, 2013. China's new premier promised to crack down on corruption and clean up pollution, acknowledging the need to tackle two issues that have stoked public anger toward the country's leaders.
Birds fly past Great Hall of the People on a polluted day during a plenary session of the National People's Congress in Beijing Friday, March 8, 2013. The outgoing head of China's legislature has praised the body for upholding the ruling Communist Party's leading role and for rejecting Western models of multiparty democracy. (Andy Wong / AP)
A woman holds her daughter, wearing a mask, while the family visit Tiananmen Square on a hazy day in Beijing, China, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. Pollution worsened in Chinas capital and surrounding regions on Thursday, as the countrys new leaders geared up for a major congress where experts expect pollution to be on the agenda. (Alexander F. Yuan / AP)
A Chinese paramilitary policeman adjusts his hat against the Great Hall of the People, on a polluted day, before a plenary session of the National People's Congress in Beijing Friday, March 8, 2013. The outgoing head of China's legislature has praised the body for upholding the ruling Communist Party's leading role and for rejecting Western models of multiparty democracy. (Andy Wong / AP)
This picture taken on January 29, 2013 shows a general view of buildings in the heavy smog in Jilin, northeast China's Jilin province. Beijing urged residents to stay indoors on January 30 as emergency measures were rolled out aimed at countering a heavy cloud of smog blanketing the Chinese capital and swathes of the country. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)
Chinese tourists look at the view from the historic Jingshan Park as smog continues to shroud Beijing on January 31, 2013. (MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Residents cross an overhead bridge during a hazy day in Beijing, China, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Residents walk past a parking lot packed with vehicles in Beijing, China, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Two Chinese policemen guard in front of two LED screens on the Tiananmen Square during severe pollution on January 31, 2013 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images)
A general view shows the Guotai Chambers building from the historic Jingshan Park as smog continues to shroud Beijing on January 31, 2013. (MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
A Chinese tourist takes photos from the historic Jingshan Park as smog continues to shroud Beijing on January 31, 2013. (MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Chinese tourists looks at the view from the historic Jingshan Park as smog continues to shroud Beijing on January 31, 2013. (MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Tourists visit the Tiananmen Square during severe pollution on January 31, 2013 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images)
A little tourist wearing a panda mask walk on the Tiananmen Square during severe pollution on January 31, 2013 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images)
A little tourist wearing the PM2.5 mask walk on the Tiananmen Square during severe pollution on January 31, 2013 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images)
The little tourists play on the ground with frozen ice at the Tiananmen Square during severe pollution on January 31, 2013 in Beijing, China.
China's Pollution Crisis To Be Tackled Head On With More Cash
