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Taiwan plans `green' APEC proposal

Taiwan will put forth a proposal during next month's APEC forum to publicize the nation's efforts to tackle global warming and climate change issues, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) minister said on Thursday.

EPA Minister Winston Dang (陳重信) said that Taiwan is working to address global warming and climate change issues in five areas: environmental protection in industry, consumption patterns, clean production, pollution control and greenhouse gas reduction.

During the APEC meeting that is scheduled for Sept. 8 and Sept. 9 in Sydney, Australia, delegates will tell member countries that Taiwan can make a solid contribution to efforts to control emissions, Dang said.

Dang, who recently attended an international meeting on environmental protection in Hawaii, arrived in Washington earlier this week for a short visit.

He met with several officials in charge of environmental protection affairs from the Bush administration on Thursday for talks on Taiwan's environmental protection policy and current situation.

The EPA head also delivered a speech at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars think tank in the afternoon.

He briefed his audience on the nation's efforts to push for a greenhouse gas reduction act and to protect water resources, promote garbage separation and increase waste recycling.

In the face of global warming and climate change, Taiwan proposes that a "World Environment Organization" be formed, he said.

He condemned China for its obstruction of Taiwan's participation in global environmental protection activities.

Dang also said that heavy mercury pollution released by Chinese industries had affected the quality of air and the environment in East Asia.

In response to a question on whether Taiwan would build new nuclear power plants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Dang said that the government was determined to provide the nation with a "nuclear-free" environment.

He said that the government should also restrict the use of coal as fuel and invest in environmentally friendly hydroelectric and wind power plants.
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