In the largest national-level inspection¹ on record, more than two dozen cities in North China will face a strict one-year inspection over air pollution prevention and control, the Ministry² of Environmental Protection (MEP) announced last Wednesday.

环保部上周三宣布，华北地区20余城将接受为期1年的大气污染防治强化督查，这是有史以来国家层面的最大规模环保督查行动。

Some 5,600 environmental inspectors³ will be sent to Beijing, Tianjin, and 26 smaller cities in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and nearby areas to check on implementation⁴ of pollution control targets and emission⁵ standards, said the ministry.

环保部表示，将向北京、天津和京津冀及周边地区26座较小城市派出约5600名环境督查人员，对污染治理任务和排放标准的落实。

They will also inspect the investigation⁶ and closure of polluting businesses, the seasonal⁷ reduction or halting of production in certain industries, and the installation and operation of pollution monitoring and control devices.

此外，他们还将对污染企业的排查和取缔、错峰生产行业的限产或停产、污染监控设施的安装运行情况进行督查。

The MEP vowed⁸ "systematic⁹" inspections¹⁰ with continued high pressure on local authorities and promised zero tolerance¹¹ for those who violate environmental laws and regulations.

环保部承诺，对地方有关部门开展"系统化"督查，始终保持高压态势；对存在环境违法违规问题的，绝不姑息。

In a separate statement, the ministry named and shamed a number of local governments and enterprises following its latest investigation of 7 inspection teams to cities such as Beijing, Tianjin and Shijiazhuang.

在一份独立声明中，该部门根据最近前往如北京、天津、石家庄等城市的7个检查小组的调查工作，点名批评了一些地方政府、企业。

Several enterprises, including a rubber plant under Sinopec Beijing Yanshan Company, were criticized for "inadequate¹² pollution control efforts," while some governments, including those of Tangshan City and Yutian County, were slammed for inaction.

包括中国石化北京燕山分公司旗下的橡胶厂在内的一些企业，被批评为污染控制不力。而包括唐山市玉田县在内的一些地方政府，则被批评为不作为。