China's reluctance to come clean; China's toxic spill; An enduring reluctance to come clean over health scares.

Publication: Global Agenda

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COPYRIGHT 2005 Economist Newspaper Ltd.

China has ordered a probe into the toxic river spill that led to millions of people having their water supplies cut for several days. The government has also apologised to Moscow for the pollution, which is heading towards the Russian border city of Khabarovsk. The accident could cause political damage as well as physical harm

A PUBLIC apology from China is an exceptionally rare event. But as a slick of toxic water makes its way along the half-frozen Songhua River towards the Russian city of Khabarovsk, the country's leadership is saying sorry. This is not, however, to be read as a sign of an imminent end to the secretive culture that for days attempted to cover up one of...

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