About 60% of Chinese cities still suffer from air pollution and have no centralized sewage treatment facilities, according to a report by the State environmental watchdog.

The State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) issued the report on Monday, June 11th. In it, air and water pollution was rated as a major environmental problem in 585 cities.

The air quality in 37.6% of the cities surveyed was above a Grade 2, which is a national standard indicating a clean and healthy environment. This figure has risen since 2005.

39 cities were put on SEPA's black list, which means that their air quality is below a Grade 3, meaning they suffer severe air pollution. Among the black listed cities, 7 were in North China's Shanxi Province, the country's largest coal supplier; and 7 cities were also in Northeast China's Liaoning Province, which is the base for heavy industries.

But progress has been achieved in wastewater and garbage treatment due to the construction of waste management facilities across the country.

42.5% of urban sewage is being treated in the cities surveyed, up from just 22.9% in 2005. Also, 59.5 percent of household garbage is being handled properly, a figure that has also greatly increased from 2005.
However, 200 cities still do not have centralized sewage management systems, and 187 cities do not have garbage disposal plants.

SEPA urged these cities to raise investment in environmental protection and step up construction of related infrastructure. An environmental goal has been set in the country's 11th Five-Year Plan to have at least 70% of sewage and 60% of household garbage effectively treated in the cities. The report called on cities to improve their sewage handling and recycling capabilities and find ways of treating sludge and hazardous liquids.

The report also suggested that local governments to pay attention to other pollutants like noise, dust and vehicle emissions.

Questions:

1. What grade air quality do only 37.6% of cities have?

2. How many of the black listed cities are in North China's Shanxi Province, and how many are in Northeast China's Liaoning Province?

3. In addition to wastewater and garbage treatment, what are some other problems local governments should pay more attention to?

Answers:

1. Grade 2.

2. 7 in Shanxi and 7 in Liaoning.

3. Noise, dust and vehicle emissions.

About the broadcaster:

Suzann Riddle is a senior double majoring in Health Care Management and Economics at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. She finds herself at China Daily Website after visiting many areas of China as a Holland Fellow, Appalachian's international exchange program with Fudan University.