China vows more transparency in pollution control

 　　BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- China's environmental watchdog said on Thursday that it will work to promote the prompt disclosure of air quality reports and monitoring results for other types of pollution.

　　The disclosure of information on major pollution sources and radiation levels will also be improved this year, according to a statement from the Ministry¹ of Environmental Protection (MEP).

　　The ministry also pledged to build an Internet-based environmental information platform by 2015 to facilitate the country's environmental protection drive, it added.

　　Chinese citizens voiced significant concerns about air pollution in late 2011 following days of heavy smog in cities including Beijing. Public demand mounted for an official air quality report that would include PM2.5, an air quality standard that allows for the detection of particulate² matter with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less.

　　The government responded by promising³ to start using the PM2.5 standard in several major regions and cities in 2012, adding that it will expand the use of the standard to all cities at or above the prefecture level by 2015.

　　A number of regions and cities, including Beijing, Tianjin and the Pearl River delta⁴ in Guangdong Province, made efforts earlier this year to include PM2.5 readings in their air quality measurements.

1 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

2 particulate   

adj.微小的；n.微粒，粒子

参考例句：

• A special group was organized to dig up the particulate of the case.成立了一个专门小组来查明该案件的各个细节。
• Lungs retain relatively insoluble particulate material.肺脏内留有不溶解的颗粒物质。

3 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。

4 delta   

n.（流的）角洲

参考例句：

• He has been to the delta of the Nile.他曾去过尼罗河三角洲。
• The Nile divides at its mouth and forms a delta.尼罗河在河口分岔，形成了一个三角洲。