China's east Shandong Province has implemented a new regulation aimed at reducing noise pollution. 

The regulation, which goes into effect on Thursday, stipulates that the maximum penalty for exceeding set noise levels is 30,000 yuan (about US$3,600).

The new policy was implemented because construction sites are getting noisier and noisier. The new regulation makes it clear that related departments are entitled to temporarily shut down these sites.

With increased modernization and urbanization, noise pollution is becoming a big problem in cities.

(CRI January 2, 2004)