China is expected to meet its 11th five-year period (2006-2010) pollution control targets, Minister of Environmental Protection Zhou Shengxian said Tuesday.

Zhou said the sulfur dioxide index is expected to drop 14 percent in 2010 compared with the 2005 level.

The index of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), a measure of water pollution, meanwhile, is expected to decrease 12 percent.

China's 11th five-year plan set out to reduce COD and sulfur dioxide levels by 10 percent over the period.

Currently, China's environmental protection authorities monitor only COD and sulfur dioxide.

"Local governments have urged various industries to reduce consumption and upgrade equipment. Many energy-inefficient companies have been closed," Zhou said at a meeting on pollution control.

From 2006 to 2009, more than 7,000 paper-making, printing, dyeing and alcohol companies were shut down.

The ministry will launch a nationwide survey in the near future to assess regional emission-reduction results.

"The upcoming survey will be the final check on local governments' emission-reduction efforts. The results will be released to the public. Local governments that fail to meet their targets will be dealt with," Zhou said.

Zhou vowed to punish local environmental protection departments if they fabricate data for the survey.

(Xinhua News Agency December 22, 2010)