In response to the dramatic increase of pollution, Wu Xiaoqing, deputy director from the Environmental Protection Administration of China (EPAC), says EPAC will increase the punishments of businesses that pollute.

EPAC has also published its latest achievements in pollution prevention on the Huaihe River, saying that new headway has been made, but the water in some parts of the river is still not qualified to be labled pollutant-free.

EPAC has made an "11th Five-Year Plan for Pollution Control at the Huaihe River" which details the goals and measures for the government agencies to take action to clean the river.