November 22, 2008

China to shut factories ahead of Olympics - Sources

Reuters quoted government and industry sources said that authorities in Tangshan, an industrial city in Hebei province north of Beijing have ordered 267 firms to shut down operations by July 8 to improve air quality ahead of the Olympics.

Government and industry sources said the firms include 66 steelmakers. Hebei accounts for about 20% of China's steel production capacity. The source said the firms would have to undergo strict environmental protection checks in order to resume production at an unspecified date.