The coastal province of Fujian, east China, has mapped out a plan to build a number of clean, garden-like cities through massive investment in environmental protection and ecological construction projects.

According to a plan made by the provincial government, at least one waste water treatment plant will be built in each of the 23 cities in the province before 2005, so that no less than 45 percent of the domestic and industrial waste water will be treated and up to the government standard before it is discharged.

A spokesman for the provincial government said for Fuzhou, capital of the province, and Xiamen and Quanzhou cities, at least 60 percent of the waste water discharged will be treated.

In addition, the province will also step up efforts to curb acid rain, air pollution, rapid increase of solid waste and noise pollution.

Xi Jinping, governor of Fujian, urged Fuzhou, Xiamen and Quanzhou to turn themselves into internationally renowned garden-like cities in the near future.

In order to absorb private and overseas investment in environmental protection projects, the province has formulated policies to encourage investment in waste water and garbage treatment projects and introduction of advanced technology.

( Xinhua News Agency January 17, 2002)