BEIJING (AFP) - China admitted it faced "difficulties and challenges" to clean up its environment, with pollution by toxic metals, aggravating the public and a severe drought further damage waterways.
Vice Minister of the environment Li Ganjie Friday reiterated a Government pledge to punish mining, recognized companies convicted of environmental offences in Mongolia-domestic, where protests fueled by concerns about the practices of the mining industry has erupted last month.
China's "overall environmental situation is still very serious and is facing many challenges and difficulties," Li said to journalists that his Department issued its annual report before world environment day, Sunday.
To clean up badly polluted waterways, reducing industrial pollutants, reduce the degradation of the rural land and a better balance between economic growth and environmental protection, the nation was quickly, he said.
"We are entered in a period where the sudden incidents affecting the environment or pollution accidents are frequently produce and where pollution of the environment is causing daily social contradictions,"Li said."".
Demonstrations erupted in Inner Mongolia last month after a Mongolian farmer was killed by a Chinese coal truck driver Han, may 10, but protesters also require action on the operating expenses of resources and damage to the environment.
China quickly strengthened security in the region of the North and announced a redesign of an accused to mining to encroach on the Prairie where the Mongolian herdsmen have raised animals for centuries.
"If we confirm that business relevant (mining) have violated the laws and regulations, I think that our local government and environment protection agencies will be severely punish", said Li.
Also promised to crack down on heavy metal pollution from mines and other factories, recognizing that incidents of lead poisoning - sometimes whole villages - were occurring at the national level.
"The incidents of pollution of heavy metals which are seriously endangering the health of the population and affecting social stability are quite severe", said Li.
Last year, China has been witness of 14 incidents of major pollution of heavy metals, including nine involving lead poisoning, said Li. In the first five months of 2011, seven of these incidents occurred.
The drought affecting the reaches and lower Yangtze, longest waterway of China, was exacerbating pollution in lakes and tributaries in the basin of the River, of which many were already seriously polluted, he said.
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