China’s Hubei Province publishes post-pandemic revitalization plan, invests Yuan141.3 billion in solving “chemical-surrounding-river" issue

On 23rd September, the China’s Hubei Provincial Government Information Office held a press conference revealing its planned investment of Yuan141.3 billion over three years, which aims to solve the “chemical-surrounding-river" issue.

Hubei Province is prepared to implement the plan in five fields, covering the collection and treatment of medical waste and hazardous waste, as well as the shutdown, transformation and relocation of chemical enterprises along the Yangtze River, the improvement of rural living conditions, the restoration of the ecological environment of the Yangtze River economic belt, and the construction of water environment infrastructure in key river basins. A total of 419 projects are planned, with a total investment of Yuan174.4 billion.

Concerning the shutdown, transformation and relocation of chemical enterprises along the Yangtze River, the Hubei Provincial Government plans to implement 257 major projects with a total investment of Yuan141.3 billion. By the end of this year, the shutdown, transformation and relocation of chemical industries within 1 kilometers (km) of the river will be completed, and by 31st December, 2022, the shutdown, transformation and relocation of chemical industries within 1 km to 15 km of the river will be implemented. By promoting the relocation and transformation of chemical enterprises along the Yangtze River, Hubei Province will be able to speed up the process of industrial restructuring to a higher level, and will eliminate hidden chemical pollution in the Yangtze River.

In August this year, Hubei Province issued the “3-Year Action Plan Pertaining to the Post-Pandemic 10 Revitalization and Industry Optimization Projects (2020-2022),” targeting ten key industry sectors to support the province’s weak industries and extend industry functionalities.

The plan recommends the completion of the shutdown, transformation and relocation of chemical industries within 1 km of the river, as well as the full shutdown, transformation and relocation of chemical industries within 1 km to 15 km of the river. The plan also proposes the establishment of a life-cycle green industry chain and more efficient resource utilization, as well as achieve zero waste emissions to better realize the green development of industrial parks. The plan advocates the adoption of advanced technology and the promotion of clean production, which will drive the high-end development of the province’s chemical industry.