Construction began Wednesday on Beijing's first plant to dispose of hospital waste as part of the city's efforts to prevent dangerous diseases like SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome).

A Hong Kong-based company has invested 100 million HK dollars (about US$12.9 million) in the project, which is scheduled to be completed by the first half of next year and will be capable of handling 30 tons a day.

The plant, in the Lixian Town Industrial Park, Daxing District, will adopt technologies and facilities to collect, transport and burn the waste.

The project is expected to greatly improve the city's ability to handle medical waste and protect the environment, said a government official in charge of public utilities.

(Xinhua News Agency October 22, 2003)