SHANGHAI, May 16 (UPI) -- A Chinese battery maker has shelved plans for a new lithium battery plant in Shanghai because of public protest, the company said.
Shanghai Guoxuan New Energy announced it has withdrawn its plans to build the new plant in southwest Shanghai's Songjiang district due to public pressure, China Daily reported Thursday. Shanghai Guoxuan is a subsidiary of Hefei Guoxuan High-tech Power Energy Co Ltd.
The report quoted the company as saying it has withdrawn its plans and will return the 23-acre site for the project to local government without claiming compensation.
The report said hundreds of residents in the Songjiang district had held three protests against the proposed plant because of concerns about potential wastewater and gas emissions. A fourth protest had been planned for this weekend in downtown Shanghai.
The protesters did not accept an official environmental evaluation that the project would cause little air or water pollution.
"Everybody is texting the news, and there are plans for a celebration," one of the residents said. "We are delighted with the company's decision because we love Songjiang and we want a safe and clean environment."
