Three steel manufacturers in East China's Shandong Province inked deals earlier this week with South Korean environment technology firms to address air pollution.

　　Taishan Steel, Weifang Special Steel Group and Jinan Steel have retained environment technology firms KC Cottrell, POSCO ICT, and J-E Tech in respective deals totaling 81.99 million yuan ($12.6 million) to reduce dust from plants.

　　Industrial goods manufacturing has been a major contributor to the choking smog that often covers much of China during winter. Protection measures were poorly enforced in the past as many local governments prized economic growth over the environment.

　　However, as industrial production no longer propels growth as it once did and air pollution is stoking public ire, the authorities are increasingly prioritizing environment protection as an alternative industry driving sustainable growth.

　　Ge said that the province is eyeing further cooperation with South Korea in the sector.