Production checks are to be carried out on enterprises in Beijing to improve the city's environment and save energy.

Zhang Yanyou, an official with Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform, told a press conference yesterday that the municipal government has issued a regulation concerning enterprises' clean production.

Zhang said it would help enforce the National Provisional Measures of Clean Production Examination made by the State Council in October 2004.

The regulation requires any enterprise with heavy discharges of pollutants in their production to conduct internal checks in two months, and then make any necessary changes to pass the clean production check in a year.

The government will give financial assistance to expensive renovations that are needed.

The regulation also encourages all enterprises to continue voluntary self-checks by offering them subsidies for the cost.
Fei Xiang, another official with the commission, said about 500 million yuan (US$62 million) would be allotted this year to help the small and medium-sized enterprises to realize clean production.

Those enterprises that pass the check in one year will be eligible to apply for the title of "Environment-Friendly Enterprise."

The municipal government will give bonuses to those who do an exceptionally good job in clean production and award them titles of "Advanced Enterprise of Clean Production."

Those failing to pass the check will receive no money from the government and may even be punished.

According to Zhang, Beijing started to pilot clean production projects in 1993. So far, the city has carried out 1,250 clean production projects in 55 enterprises.

"This new regulation will be a substantial step in our efforts to build the capital into a resource-saving and environment-friendly metropolis," Zhang said.

Zhang also announced the municipal government will hold an Energy-saving and Environment-friendly Exhibition from June 13-18.

Leading companies from home and abroad will demonstrate their latest energy-efficient technologies and products at the exhibition.

Beijing sets "building a resources-saving and environment-friendly society" as a major goal in its 11th Five-Year Guidelines (2006-10).

According to the plan, the city aims to reduce the energy and water consumption per 10,000 yuan (US$1,250) of gross domestic product by 15 percent and 20 percent respectively, by 2010 compared with 2005.

(China Daily April 19, 2006)