AIR quality has never been a particularly strong trait in China's cities. But Shanghai has always seen the importance of improving it. And despite an annual increase of 14 percent in the city's motor vehicles, Shanghai's air quality doesn't show any sign of deterioration. Instead, the air in Shanghai is gradually improving and can be expected to improve even more.
A new standard for vehicle exhaust, called Euro 1, has been adopted in Shanghai. In comparison to the old regulations, the new index is much stricter. The pollution permitted is 90 percent less than the current emission standards.
"All the sedans built after July of last year must adhere to the new standard," said Cai Zhigang, an official with Shanghai Environment Protection Bureau. "Those passenger vehicles with six or more seats but below a weight of 3.5 tons will also be obliged to meet the new standard from October of next year."
The public transit sector also must follow the new regulations for all newly purchased buses. The current standards are the same ones European countries followed in the early 1990s. A problem that China has faced in the past, and which still hinders its progress, is technological advance.
(Shanghai Star 10/10/2000)
