Liaoning Province Environmental Project (Shenyang, Anshan, Benxi) - October 1994

Liaoning Province Environmental Project (Shenyang, Anshan, Benxi) - October 1994

#### Environmental Pollution and Response in Liaoning Province in the 1990s
Launched in 1994, the Liaoning Environmental Project is a large-scale environmental improvement plan covering Shenyang, Anshan, and Benxi, the major cities of Liaoning Province. Liaoning Province is located in northern China and has a high concentration of heavy industry, including the steel and chemical industries, making air and water pollution a serious problem. In particular, sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emitted from steel plants in Anshan and chemical plants in Shenyang have increased the concentration of toxic substances in the air, adversely affecting the health of residents.

#### Project Details and Objectives
The project focused on improving sewerage systems and industrial wastewater treatment facilities, particularly enhancing wastewater treatment at factories, which are sources of pollution. Water pollution in Liaoning was exacerbated by the direct flow of wastewater into Bohai Bay and surrounding rivers, so modernization of wastewater treatment facilities was an urgent priority. For example, a new wastewater treatment plant was constructed in Anshan City to purify wastewater discharged from a steel plant, which was expected to improve the water quality of Bohai Bay.

#### Funding and Company Participation
The project was financed by a $110 million loan from the World Bank with an interest rate of 7.1%, a 20-year repayment period, and a 5-year grace period. Chinese and foreign companies also participated in the project, particularly China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and China Iron & Steel Corporation, which provided environmental technology, wastewater treatment equipment, and filter technology.

#### Expected Benefits and Future Challenges
The project is expected to improve air and water pollution in Liaoning Province. In Shenyang, desulfurization equipment has been installed at a factory to purify emissions, and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions in the industrial area are expected to be reduced by about 30%. It is also expected to improve the living environment for local residents and help protect the marine ecosystem of Bohai Bay. However, additional measures will continue to be required for sustainable environmental protection, as the aging of factories throughout Liaoning Province and the need for further capital investment have been pointed out.

History of Environmental Projects in Liaoning Province (Shenyang, Anshan, and Benxi) - October 1994

#### 1990s
In the 1990s, Liaoning Province developed as China's industrial center, but with rapid industrialization came the emergence of serious environmental problems. In particular, the development of the steel and chemical industries in cities such as Shenyang, Anshan, and Benxi led to rapid air and water pollution. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) were released into the atmosphere, and water quality in the surrounding Bohai Bay and Liaohe River deteriorated. In response, the Liaoning Environmental Project was initiated in 1994, focusing primarily on improving wastewater treatment facilities and sewerage systems. With a $110 million loan from the World Bank, wastewater and exhaust gas treatment facilities were installed to improve the environment.

#### 2000s
In the 2000s, Liaoning's environmental improvement efforts were further intensified. During this period, wastewater treatment and air pollution control technologies advanced, and environmental standards for factories were further tightened. In particular, new desulfurization equipment was installed at steel and chemical plants in Shenyang and Anshan to reduce emissions of hazardous substances into the atmosphere. This has reduced sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions by more than 30%, thus reducing health hazards to residents and the impact on agriculture. In addition, cooperation with environmental protection companies has been strengthened, and environmental measures throughout Liaoning Province are now being carried out under international technical cooperation.

#### 2010s
In the 2010s, the balance between urban development and environmental protection in Liaoning Province became more important. Liaoning Province was also active in introducing renewable energy and promoting energy-saving technologies. In particular, the introduction of photovoltaic and wind power generation was promoted, and industrial energy efficiency was promoted. As environmental technologies advanced, wastewater treatment became more sophisticated, and water quality in the Liaohe River and Bohai Bay was improved. In addition, environmental protection awareness grew, and with the cooperation of businesses and residents, urban greening activities and waste reduction campaigns were widely promoted.

#### 2020s
In the 2020s, Liaoning's environmental protection policies accelerated further. In particular, technological innovations continued to reduce industrial emissions in accordance with the carbon neutrality goals set for all of China. Liaoning factories installed the latest denitration technology and electrostatic precipitators to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and hazardous substances. AI-based wastewater monitoring systems and drone-based environmental monitoring technology were also introduced to ensure that environmental monitoring and countermeasures are implemented in real time. In Shenyang and Anshan, the efforts to date have been successful, and the living environment for residents has been greatly improved, while the ecosystem of Bohai Bay is gradually recovering.