Chinese Environmental Chief Quits Over Harbin Spill - BBC

[hatrack]

The head of China's environmental protection agency has resigned, according to state news agency Xinhua. No reason was given for Xie Zhenhua's resignation, but it follows a chemical leak which forced authorities in the city of Harbin to cut off its water.

Environmental officials in Jilin province, where an explosion caused the leak, have also been criticised for failing to act more quickly.

EDIT

The State Environmental Protection Administration (Sepa), which was led by Mr Xie, said on Thursday that it did not receive notification of the spill for five days.

Mr Xie was replaced by Zhou Shengxian, former director of the State Forestry Administration, Xinhua said.

EDIT

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4491562.stm

[phantom power]

1. Weird. Nobody told him "heckuva job, Xie!"