Beijing is playing its part in cracking down on the use of banned ozone-depleting CFC-11, says Zeng Rong

We noted your report (July 9) on Chinese enterprises’ “production and use” of CFC-11. The Chinese government’s position on ozone layer protection is consistent and clear. We attach great importance to and conscientiously implement relevant international environmental conventions. Production and use of ozone depleting substances (ODSs) that are not permissible in the Montreal protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer is illegal and subject to legal action as soon as detected.

China’s policy is zero tolerance against illicit conduct involving ODSs, including CFC-11. In line with this policy, the competent government agency in China took the relevant media reports seriously, and launched a joint inspection with local authorities on 19 polyurethane foam producers and a business cluster. In 12 of the enterprises under investigation no sales or use of CFC‑11 has been found. In one enterprise where CFC-11 was detected in its composite polyether materials, the local authorities have taken enforcement measures according to the law; the remaining six are under further investigation.

The local authorities also uncovered two enterprises in Liaoning and Henan province that had been producing CFC-11 and CFC‑12 respectively. The seized CFCs and raw materials have been confiscated and sealed up, and the local police have filed charges against the enterprises and are hunting down the suspects in the cases.

China will continue cracking down on illegal production and use of ODSs and strengthen regulation over relevant industries. Meanwhile, China is willing to further strengthen cooperation with other countries to ensure the effective and continuous implementation of the Montreal protocol.

Zeng Rong

Spokesperson, Chinese embassy in the UK

• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com

• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters

• Do you have a photo you’d like to share with other Guardian readers? Click here to upload it and we’ll publish the best submissions in the letters spread in our print edition