Polluting firm faces heavy fine

A Local food company faces a fine of about 50,000 yuan (US$8,155) for illegally discharging black smoke. It will become the first company to be penalized under the city's new air protection law, which came into effect this month.

The Fuping Food Company in Minhang District was found burning waste furniture wood instead of coal and releasing black smoke. Zhou Hong of the Shanghai Environmental Protection Bureau said the fine could be as high as 50,000 yuan.

Shanghai introduced China's strictest air protection law with a maximum fine of 500,000 yuan this month. The fines were likely to go up if polluters fail to take action. Company bosses are also being targeted and face personal fines of up to 100,000 yuan.