China Vows Information Transparency During Environmental Emergencies

A senior official with China's Ministry of Environmental Protection has promised to release information on environmental emergencies in an "accurate and timely manner" to address public concerns.

Vice minister Pan Yue made the remarks Thursday at a meeting as higher levels of radiation from Japan's quake-damaged nuclear power plant have been detected in more Chinese areas, worsening public worries.

"We should release accurate information on environmental emergencies as early as possible through mainstream media in order to address public concerns and guide public opinion," Pan said, adding that a better monitoring system should be built to analyze and evaluate information.

Pan also urged environmental protection workers to conduct more publicity and education work to support information release to the public.

Pan noted an increase in pressure in the country's fight against pollution during the next five years, citing fast urban and industrial development, more energy consumption and limited environmental capacities, among other factors.

According to Pan, problems are prominent in the distribution of the country's dangerous chemical industry, and mine tailings also posed "severe threats" to the environment.

Addressing public concerns on the radioactive leakage from the quake-damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan, the ministry began to issue its statements on China's radioactive level on March 12 and updates its assessment twice a day on its website until now.

The ministry introduced a disclosure guideline regarding environmental information for listed companies last September following two major environmental disasters, including a leading copper producer discharging waste water and an explosion at a coastal oil pipeline in July.