Minister for Environmental Protection Zhou Shengxian revealed at the national work meeting for water pollution control of key river basins that the first half of 2008 saw a decline of discharge of both major pollutants. Particularly, compared with the same period of 2007 SO₂ emissions fell by 3.96% and COD dropped by 2.48%. The effect of binding target began to appear.

Zhou Shengxian said the good momentum that discharge of both major pollutants continued to decline was attributed to the top attention of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council and the active efforts of local departments. Various comprehensive measures made great contributions to the result such as pollution reduction through green projects, industrial restructuring, environmental management and environmental economic policies.