Kunming to release assessment of oil refinery

KUNMING - A Southwest China city will publicize the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for a planned refinery that residents protested last month, the city's mayor said Sunday.

Li Wenrong, mayor of Kunming, capital of Yunnan province, said at a press conference that details of the EIA will be released to the public, subject to procedures.

The city government will listen to comments and suggestions from the public and communicate with residents, especially those who have concerns about the project, Li said.

The government will respect the opinions of the public and strengthen supervision over the enterprise in order to prevent environmental accidents during the project's construction and operation, he said.

"Supervision will not be missing just because the operator is a major state-owned enterprise," he said.

Li made the statement after hundreds of residents demonstrated on May 10 and 16 against plans to build an oil refinery near the city, which will be operated by China National Petroleum Corporation, China's largest oil producer. Although government officials said the project has passed feasibility studies and was approved by the country's top economic planner, residents have still requested that the plant be relocated.

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