From the chinese press

Heated debate on public heating

Public heating has triggered heated discussions during winter in recent years. Proposals on public heating have also been hot topics at the annual sessions of the national legislative and political advisory bodies. The issue concerns not only Chinese people's livelihood, but also the country's environment, says an article in Qianjiang Evening News. Excerpts:

Those who support South China should have public heating argue that the region south of the line from Qinling Mountains to the Huaihe River deserves the same treatment as North. And people who oppose the idea claim that it would not be possible to provide public heating in South China because of shortage of fuels.