Guangdong vows not to loosen rules on environment in pursuit of growth

Guangdong's environmental watchdog has pledged that it will not loosen green regulations in pursuing a new round of economic growth, but some experts have expressed concern about the feasibility of the province's dual goals of supporting massive industrial projects and improving the environment.

Li Qing, head of the provincial Environmental Protection Bureau, said on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the Guangdong People's Congress yesterday that the province would protect the "ecological bottom line" and tackle air, water and heavy-metal pollution.

"With Guangdong putting economic development as a priority, to secure its top spot in terms of total economic output, we must have innovative mechanisms and measurements to protect the environment," Li said.

He referred to the establishment of a scheme to control emissions and allocate more support to key industrial projects and priority sectors - high-tech and emerging strategic industries - as well as put the brakes on polluting businesses and optimise the location of industries.

"For instance, we'll not allow any new power plants in the Pearl River Delta. Rather, they can be built in the east or west of the province, where environmental capacity is larger," he said.

Li also said his department would "simplify environmental review procedures for companies that are applying for initial public offerings".