Clean-energy pollution

China's much-touted drive to produce the world's greatest share of clean technology has hit a very symbolic snag, with the emergence of violent protests over the weekend by villagers upset about pollution from a solar-panel factory.

State-run media reports that hundreds of villagers in Zhejiang province, on China's central coast, took to the streets last Thursday in protest of toxic pollution from a factory owned by Jinko Solar Holding, New York-listed company that makes a range of high-tech products. The company, which shut down the factory amid the protests, on Monday apoligized for the pollution and vowed to clean up the damage in the city of Haining. One official said the company had failed environmental standards tests since April.

Reuters reports that a company spokesman said "Zhejiang Jinko has always paid a great deal of attention to environmental issues and complies with and follows the state's relevant demands," and pledged to take appropriate steps for cleanup.