Environmental tax to be levied

The government work report delivered by Premier Wen Jiabao last week, indicated that this year's inflation target of 3 percent, includes room for the introduction of an environmental tax and reforms on resources taxes. Environmental officials and some political advisors have voiced support for the measures.

Last week's government work report included the possibility of levying an environmental tax this year. On Wednesday, the Vice Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, Xie Zhenhua, promised to step up taxation reforms to push environmental protection.

Xie Zhenhua, NDRC Vice Minister, said, "We will steadily push forward reforms on the prices of resources and environmental protection charges. We will also actively implement the country's fiscal and tax policies to support energy conversation and emission reductions."

On Wednesday, the Vice Minister of the National Development and  Reform Commission, Xie Zhenhua, promised to step up taxation  reforms to push environmental protection.