Eighteen cities in central China's Henan Province have been told to have at least 256 days of good air quality, according to sources with the provincial government.

It is the first time that Henan has set this target for the 18 cities that fall under the direct jurisdiction of the provincial government.

The move is aimed to further environmental protection and improve air quality in the province, the sources said.

Henan cities had an average of 303 days with good air quality in 2005. Cities burdened with air pollution such as Luoyang, Jiaozuo and Pingdingshan performed well last year, according to the provincial department of environmental protection.

During the past five years, the province has closed down 3,860 polluting factories, 978 of which were closed down in 2005, to protect the environment.

It has invested over 300 million yuan (US$37.5 million) in the provision of safe drinking water for 1.52 million rural residents in 965 villages in 2005.

It also told the 18 cities to keep a close eye on 2,843 factories and production lines this year.

(Xinhua News Agency February 17, 2006)