China has ordered more than 2,000 highly polluting, unsafe or energy inefficient plants to shut down within two months…Environmental campaigners welcomed the measure, saying the announcement went well beyond previous orders in naming specific facilities and outlining stiff penalties for firms that do not comply by the end of September…"There is no doubt this announcement is significant, especially because it is complete with real consequences; if they don't meet the target they will be barred from obtaining loans, for example," said Alex Wang, of the Natural Resources Defence Council. Other penalties include having sewage treatment licences revoked or being refused business licences…[refers to Aluminium Corporation of China (Chalco) and Hebei Iron and Steel Group]