China coastal waters suffering increased, 'acute' pollution

China’s coastal waters are suffering “acute” pollution, with the size of the worst affected areas soaring by more than 50 per cent last year, an official body said.

The State Oceanic Administration (SOA) said 68,000 square kilometres of sea had the worst official pollution rating last year, up 24,000 square kilometres on 2011.

Under this classification the waters are deemed unsuitable for swimming, fish-farming and port use and not fit for some industrial purposes.

The findings highlight the country’s rising environmental problems, which are often a by-product of its booming economy and have led to public anger and protests.

“The pollution of coastal waters and damage to the eco-system... remained acute,” the SOA said in a statement on the release of its annual report on Wednesday.

Pollutants discharged into the sea from 72 monitored rivers increased to more than 17 million tonnes last year, the statement said, without providing a comparative previous figure.