The government will spend 130 billion yuan ($18 billion) to clean up the Bohai Bay, one of the country's most contaminated marine areas.
The treatment plan is awaiting State Council approval, according to an unnamed State Oceanic Administration (SOA) official.
The funds will be used to monitor seawater quality, establish treatment plants, tackle industrial pollution, rehabilitate coastal wetlands, plant protective trees along the coast and set up marine parks.
The clean-up is part of China's 2006-10 marine development and planning guideline recently released by the SOA, which outlines economic development, public services and ecological rehabilitation for the country's maritime areas.
"The guideline covers areas including marine resources, environment, ecology, economy, rights and security," said Wang Hong, deputy director of SOA.
Maritime production is expected to account for more than 11 percent of the nation's GDP by 2010, according to the guideline. Maritime industries currently contribute about 10 percent of the nation's GDP. That's higher than the average 4 percent worldwide, the SOA said.
Scientific and technological development will bring about 50 percent growth in the maritime industry by 2010, the guideline said.
Desalinated seawater is expected to provide 16 to 24 percent of water supply to the nation's coastal areas by 2010.
Public services are also a priority for the SOA, under the guideline. Early warnings for storm tides will be given six hours ahead of the event, and the alert for tsunamis will be 30 minutes prior.
Questions:
1. Name three things 130 billion yuan will be spent on to clean up Bohai Bay.
2. Maritime industries accounts for what percent of China’s GDP?
3. By 2010, coastal areas will get 16-24 percent of their water supply from where?
Answers:
1.Monitor seawater quality, establish treatment plants, tackle industrial pollution, rehabilitate coastal wetlands, plant protective trees along the coast, and set up marine parks.
2.10 percent.
3.Desalinated seawater.
（英语点津 Celene 编辑）
About the broadcaster:
Bernice Chan is a foreign expert at China Daily Website. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Bernice has written for newspapers and magazines in Hong Kong and most recently worked as a broadcaster for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, producing current affairs shows and documentaries.
