Those who defy the new orders will face severe punishment, including the cutting-off of water and electricity and fines of up to 10,000 yuan (US$1,200).

For the first time, the Beijing government has clarified the responsibilities of those causing serious air pollution.

These stricter measures have been carried out to secure a better air quality for the city, said Zhao Yixin, director of the Municipal Environment Protection Bureau.

The "strict measures," including those adopted by the municipal government over the past two years, supplement national regulations to prevent air pollution.

All the measures have been officially approved by the Beijing Municipal People's Congress and came into effect at the beginning of this year.

Besides clarifying responsibilities, the measures also say coal burning will be gradually banned in areas such as newly developed residential areas.

Cleaner energies like electricity and natural gas will be promoted, along with efforts to upgrade cooking and heating facilities.

In places where coal is still in use, the fuel that contains higher levels of sulphur will be banned.

Places that use huge boilers should install monitors to check on the release of pollutants. If they do not, they will be shut down for improvement and fined up to 50,000 yuan (US$6,040).

Starting this year, the municipal government will monitor soot emissions round-the-clock. Restaurants will not be allowed to open on the ground floor of residential buildings.

Also as part of the measures, vehicles have to pass tail-gas emission tests before they can go on the road.

Since traffic jams increase air pollution, the municipal government will limit the number of vehicles in certain areas when necessary.

Regarding suspended particles, which have taken the place of vehicle exhaust fumes as the city's leading pollution source, the measures say construction sites should be properly separated and paved, trees should be planted on open land and rubbish and construction materials should be kept in sealed containers.

China's old air pollution law was revised last April. It now allows major cities such as Beijing to impose stricter measures to improve air quality.

(China Daily 01/08/01)