Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan said on Sunday that environmental problems threaten the public health and interest and must be a top priority of the government.

"(Governments at all levels) this year should focus on tackling pollution of water resources, heavy metal contamination, and massive pollution caused by factories and mines," said Zeng at a national teleconference on environmental protection.

Protecting the environment is in line with China's new policy emphasis on energy conservation and emission reduction, he said.

"The environmental situation in China remains very serious," said Zeng.

Zeng called for strengthened law enforcement, strict monitoring of polluters and further enhancement of public awareness on environmental protection.

Regions and areas that violate environmental rules will be restricted from building new projects and from receiving financial transfer payments, said Zeng.

Since February last year, the State Environmental Protection Administration has halted 43 projects that were worth a total of 160 billion yuan (US$20.5 billion) because of their impact on the local environment.

(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2007)