Air polluters lambasted after surprise inspections

A number of companies, including some State-owned enterprises, have been strongly warned about polluting emissions following recent surprise inspections from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

Minister Huang Runqiu and Vice-Minister Zhao Yingmin were among the heads of the inspection teams that visited cities that have experienced rebounds in air pollution in Henan and Shaanxi provinces, according to the ministry.

Falsifying monitoring data, abnormal operation of air pollution control facilities and nonobservance of the government's instructions for emergency air pollution reduction were some of the major violations that were found.