China to relocate almost 1,000 chemical plants in wake of Tianjin blasts

Industry minister, Miao Wei, says local government and companies involved would have to subsidise plans made to help improve pollution levels

Local governments in China have submitted plans to relocate or upgrade almost 1,000 chemical plants in the wake of the massive explosions in Tianjin earlier this month that killed 147 people.

The blast at a warehouse storing toxic chemicals was China's worst industrial accident in recent years. There has been criticism it was located too close to densely populated residential areas.