(Beijing, November 26) -- From 1998 to 2006, Beijing invested 1,200 million yuan in environmental protection measures, a total of 3.24% of GDP. In 2006 alone, this number reached 250 million yuan.

Pollution control has been carried out in thirteen stages, with more than 200 concrete steps. The limiting of the pollution caused by coal burning has seen important progress. In 2006, Beijing's natural gas usage reached 38 million cubic meters, 34 cubic meters greater than 1998; this year, experts believe that that figure will rise to 47 cubic meters. For large coal-burning equipment, including coal-fired power plants and coal-burning boilers in excess of 20 tons, there has been increased monitoring of desulphurization processes. Monitoring techniques will be changed for the 16 thousand coal-burning boilers below 20 tons, and small coal-fired burners are slowly being eradicated. In Dongcheng and Xicheng, the 30,000 single house residents are changing the way they use energy. Law enforcement officials constantly monitor small businesses to prevent them from using small coal-burning stoves, as residents' health is directly related this sort of pollution.

Pollutant concentrations related to motor vehicles dropped slightly, even though the number of motor vehicles continued to grow. Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide rates dropped by 36 percent and 10.8 percent respectively, whereas the number of motor vehicles increased from 1998's 1.36 million in 1998 to over 3.1 this year.

While accelerating the construction of urban rail traffic and implementing a bus priority strategy, level I, II and III vehicle emission standards were carried out successively in 1999, 2002 and 2005. As Beijing is ahead of schedule, level IV emission standards will be carried out next year.

In managing the usage of cars, emissions testing methods have been more scientifically developed. 2002 and 2003 saw the start of more stringent checks on cars on the road, ensuring that a minimum standard is met by vehicles being operated.

About 13,000 old buses and 56,000 taxis were eliminated in the process of accelerating the eradication of old vehicles. Owning more than 4,000 natural gas buses gives Beijing the title of the city with the world's largest number of natural gas vehicles. Before the Olympics, more than 90 percent of buses will reach level III emission standards.

To meet emission standards for motor vehicle fuel requirements, Beijing gradually raised the quality of motor vehicle fuel. Level II and ¢ó fuel were sold successively in 2004 and 2005. Buses using low sulfur diesel fuel containing 50ppm were introduced by the end of April 2007. This year, gas stations around the country experienced an environmental overhaul; controlling the pollution from tankers, oil using cars, and diesel vehicles is an important move for environmental protection, to save energy, and to encourage economic and security resources before the Olympics.

Industrial pollution control has made great progress. Through relocation, restructuring and other means, pollution has been greatly reduced. According to national industrial policies, severe dust polluting enterprises located in the outskirts of the city have been shut down. Among them, cement kilns were completely shut down by the end of 2005. 200 more heavily polluting enterprises have ceased production or have been relocated. In July of 2006, Beijing coking plants ceased operations, reducing the amount of coal, dust and sulfur dioxide emissions by 300 million tons, 7,300 tons and 7,500 tons, respectively. Shougang Group was also in on the scheme. After being relocated, the large steel manufacturing company gradually stopped using one steel-making factory, 5 blast furnaces and 2 coke ovens, thus compressing 4 million tons of steel production by the end of the year.

Construction sites and road dust pollution have been increasingly supervised. As Beijing continues to develop, strict management of the many construction sites is of major significance to air pollution control. Over the years, environmental protection requirements and management techniques have been improved. Government departments, including urban management, construction, and environmental protection strengthened law enforcement and supervision, and formed an effective scheme combining trade management, enterprise self-discipline and supervision by the masses.

The focus stayed on the prevention and control of air pollution, pollution control regarding water, solid waste, and ecological protection and construction. Pollution prevention and environmental radiation safety work have been comprehensively strengthened. By protecting drinking water sources, accelerating the urban sewage pipe network, monitoring the sewage treatment facilities and urban rivers and lakes, water consumption increased to 160 million cubic meters in 2006. This year, the Beijing municipal government promulgated the "Beijing Environmental Noise Prevention and Control Measure." A noise reduction project and low-noise pavement demonstration project were implemented on the fourth and fifth ring roads, the Beijing-Chengde road and other key avenues. Also involved were increased penalties for noise pollution caused by construction affecting social lives. Hazardous waste storage, collection, transportation and disposal achieved whole processing management, and medical waste removal is regulated to ensure proper disposal. Radioactive waste has also been controlled, with the completion of the main radioactive waste project.