In the first half of 2006, the total discharge of COD was 6,896,000 tons, increased 3.7 percent compared with the same period of the previous year; the discharge of SO2 was up to 12,746,000 tons, a year-on-year increase of 4.2 percent. At the beginning of the next year, in addition to the nationwide discharge of COD and SO2, we will also release the two indicators for all provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities).

In the first half this year, the reasons for the increase of COD and SO2 discharge are as follows : i ) The continuous increase of energy consumption; ii) Newly desulfurization facilities used were carried on, but with low efficiency; iii) Some industrial projects which were built a few years ago are now put into production but no according establishments of pollution control were settled, or put into operation at the same time; iv) Urbanization is accelerating, and the discharge of sewage is growing , but sewage treatment system has not functioned yet in a few cities.

The course of pollutants discharge decrease is still arduous. Therefore, local governments and relevant departments should strengthen their responsibility on environment protection, fulfill the scientific concept of development; continue to promote economic restructuring and transforming of the economic growth pattern; reinforce environmental protection and supervision, ensure the goal of reducing pollution during the 11th Five-Year Plan period.

                                        State Environmental Protection Administration
                                                         National Bureau of Statistics
                                      National Development and Reform Commission

                                                                  August 17, 2006