Published by: THE WORLD UYGHUR NETWORK NEWS, June 11, 1997

Beijing Zhongguo Xinwen She, 06/03/97

Urumqi, June 3 (CNS) -- The Karamay petro-chemical plant in Xinjiang

Uygur Autonomous Region has closed due to pollution and its sustained

losses. Plant workers will be re-trained in other jobs. The plant

commenced operations in 1989 at a cost RMB 100 million. However, there

was a severe lack of co-ordination in the design in respect of sewage

disposal and environmental protection procedures.

Prior to the plant commencing operations it had not been examined by

the environmental protection department and sewage disposal equipment

had not even been installed. The surrounding environment has been

badly polluted by the plant after its production with the daily volume

of some 3,400 cubic metres of sewage, and a large quantity of

chlorides, which were discharged without prior treatment.

Since operations began the plant had made annual losses and, in 1996

alone, the loss amounted to some RMB 30 million. The Xinjiang oil

administrative bureau and the Karamay municipal government therefore

ordered the plant to be closed. Some 200 plant workers are now

receiving re-training for new positions and others have been guaranteed

employment in other businesses.