BBC Learning English
Words in the News
China green industries
12 August 2013
_____________________________________________________
Chinese state media say the government is trying to tackle pollution caused by the
country's fast economic development. According to the state-run news agency, new
measures are being introduced to encourage the country's green industries. Martin
Patience reports from Beijing.
China is the world's biggest polluter. But toxic smog in its cities is increasingly
generating enormous public anger.
Now the authorities say they want the green industries to have a turnover of more than
$700bn by 2015. They're offering tax breaks and subsidies to promote growth and
innovation within the sector.
It's the latest move by the government to curb pollution. Last month, the authorities
ordered hundreds of steel, paper and leather factories to shut down production lines that
were causing high levels of pollution.
Words in the News © British Broadcasting Corporation 2013
Page 1 of 2
bbclearningenglish.com
Vocabulary and definitions
polluter a person or organisation that puts harmful
substances into the environment
toxic smog a poisonous mixture of fog and smoke which appears
in some industrial cities
generating producing
turnover the amount of money taken by a business in a period
of time
tax breaks reduction of the amount of tax a business has to pay
used as an incentive
subsidies money given by a government or an organisation to
help businesses keep the price of products or
services low
promote to actively encourage
innovation a new idea or method
sector a government branch
curb to control or limit
high levels above normal or average level
Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2013/08/130812_witn_china_green.shtml
Related story:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-22924231
Words in the News © British Broadcasting Corporation 2013
Page 2 of 2
bbclearningenglish.com