Jiang Hao, leader of Kunshan city, met with 21 representatives from all walks of life at an environment discussion meeting yesterday to exchange ideas on environment protection measures.

Wang Gan, one of the 21 representatives, advised that Kunshan now had more than 300,000 vehicles, with a growth rate of 5,000 per month. Wang hoped that the government could give adequate attention to the severe pollution caused by large-sized vehicles. Xu Yubin, director of the Kunshan environmental protection bureau, said all vehicles were monitored by yellow and green environmental signs that are used to distinguish whether the automobile's exhaust meets standards. At present, more than 16,000 yellow-signed automobiles are being monitored by the Kunshan car category control department. They have been prohibited from driving in some special areas. In addition, all buses also underwent environmental inspections. They are in the process of being renovated into environmentally-friendly buses. Relevant authorities are making efforts to decrease the yellow-signed automobiles.

With respect to the Wusong River, also known as Suzhou Creek, Jianghao said this year the government had taken concrete measures to save the river and, in particular, asked relevant regions to take related action. So far, all the relevant regions have made great achievements. The condition of the Wusong River will further improve in the next three to five years. Wang also added that as for the green belt in the city, proposals have been made and they would be included in the building projects of the Wusong River basin next year after relevant industries in that area move out.

Over the "talking meeting", authorities gave a satisfactory reply in terms of measures on industry pollution, exhaust emission and environmental protection. Finally, Zhang Jie, deputy to the National People's Congress, affirmed the meeting. Zhang said relevant departments could resolve problems more effectively through soliciting suggestions from the public. Through joint efforts, the environment in Kunshan would become better and better.