China expects 'turning point' in pollution this year

China should see a “turning point” this year in its pollution problems and will likely meet its clean air and water goals in coming years, an environmental official said today.

Zhang Lijun, vice minister of the State Environmental Protection Administration, said that while the amount of ammonia and nitrates in waterways increased in 2006 and overall air quality declined, protection measures such as pollution control facilities and stepped-up enforcement would have an impact.