Officials Challenge Polluting Tyremaker

Deputies from the people’s congress in the Chinese city of Guangzhou have asked officials from the city’s Environmental Protection Bureau why no action has been taken to deal with the large amount of pollution caused by a state-owned tyremaker located in the city. South China Tire & Rubber, one of the country’s largest tyre suppliers, reportedly emits large quantities of sulphurous gas from its factory, and this is claimed to affect the health of an estimated 100,000 people.

The deputies demanded to know why there had been no reduction in pollution since the plant opened in 1991, and why no timetable has been drawn up for the plant’s ultimate relocation. “The municipal environmental watchdog has promised on several occasions to draw up a timetable for the relocation, but to no avail,” said Yang Jinglian, one of the deputies.

The deputy director of the Environmental Bureau, Li Xin, replied that the company’s emissions met with national standards. “We examined the company 21 times in 2006 and did not find excessive pollution,” Li said. “What has been irritating people is the terrible smell.”

The deputies have said they will pursue the case as long as they remain in office, and expressed their hope that the city government would put the issue on its agenda. “They should also take more effective measures to deal with the pollution before the company is relocated,” they added.