Companies who continue to ignore government standards and pollute the environment are to face stiffer punishment.

The warning was issued by a Wang Jirong, vice-minister of the State Environmental Protection Administration, who vowed the national blitz against polluting bosses will continue unabated.

"Those responsible for illegal pollutant discharging will be held accountable more seriously," said Wang yesterday at a press conference.

The tough-talk from the central government comes as public complaints about pollution soar.

Last year's crackdown led to the closure of more than 6,400 companies across the country. And 155 people were punished. Bosses were fined and civil servants warned, demoted or sacked.

This year, local government officials who cover-up polluters in return for bribes will be targeted, Wang said.

The army of environment inspectors have been ordered to get tough with offenders in the latest campaign a joint effort by six ministries, including Wang's administration, the National Development and Reform Com-mission and the Ministry of Supervision to clean up China's environment.

Similar campaigns have been launched annually over the past several years but thousands of companies continue to flout the law.

Lu Xinyuan, head of the administration's environment supervision and inspection bureau, said: "There are no specific rules on how to deal with companies which are repeatedly found to discharge pollutants illegally," he said.

"That makes it difficult for environment authorities to enforce environment laws and regulations," he added.

The administration will submit proposals to the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, on making improve-ments.

Zhai Qing, an officials with the National Development and Reform Commission, said at yesterday's conference that out-dated techniques will continue to be phased out.

"A modern economy will be promoted in the country so that resources can be used most efficiently," he added.

Complaints from the public about environmental problems have been rising by 20 per cent annually. In 2003, the number of telephone complaints reached 330,000.

Editor: Olivia