China to stagger raw materials transport in winter on pollution campaign

Reuters
Sprinklers spray water mist over a demolition site to reduce air pollution after a controlled demolition for the reconstruction of urban villages in Zhengzhou, Henan province, China June 12, 2017. REUTERS/Stringer

BEIJING (Reuters) - China urged local authorities in 28 northern cities to make plans to stagger raw materials transportation some sectors in a bid to reduce pollution during winter, in a document published by the Environmental Protection ministry on Thursday. ** Raw materials affected are steel, coke, non-ferrous, power and chemical sectors. ** Firms are asked to run with at least 80 percent of their trucks with national IV or above emission standard during winter season. ** Trucks will be banned to enter ports in Bohai Rim region during severe polluted days. ** Local authorities are asked to monitor the transportation through Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system in firms. (Reporting by Muyu Xu and Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Richard Pullin)