Big cities urged to curb noise pollution

BEIJING - Each of the 113 major cities in China is being asked to erect at least one billboard by the end of 2011 to inform the public of the amount of noise it generates, as the country's environmental watchdog vowed to strengthen controls on noise pollution.

The government is publishing new rules in an attempt at managing noise from transportation, construction, industries and households. That information is contained in a notice jointly published by 11 ministries aiming to tackle the increasingly prominent problem of noise pollution, Tao Detian, speaking for the Ministry of Environmental Protection, said on Tuesday.

The notice states that noises caused by high-speed trains and aircraft must be managed to reduce the number of complaints from residents living near the railway stations and airports, while noise barriers should be installed along highways in residential areas.