Sessions call out leaders on pollution

Chinese environmental authorities summoned leaders from five cities over the past two days to reprimand them for severe pollution in their jurisdictions and for illegal - and damaging - mineral explorations in nature reserves.

The sessions bared sharper teeth as the central government pushes to protect the environment. The Ministry of Environmental Protection conducted the talks on Wednesday and Thursday.

Among the problems, the ministry found severe damage in five national nature reserves through satellite monitoring and field investigations.