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Asian environmental group voiced a call for the global communities to unite to combat the deteriorating problem of acid rain at a meeting held in Beijing Thursday.

Friday's China Daily reported that environmental experts at the meeting estimated by 2020 sulphur dioxide emissions in east Asia will triple the 1990 level -- amounting to 75 million tons -- due to Asia's progressive industrialization, if present energy and environmental policies remain unchanged.

Officials and experts from 11 Asian countries, Russia and the United Nations expressed their concerns in the capital at the two-day international workshop on public awareness for acid rain.

Xu Zhenglong, secretary-general of the China Forum of Environmental Journalists, urged the public in Asia to co-operate in conquering "the devil in the air."

The acid rain causes serious environmental damage to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, cultural properties and buildings.

The newspaper quoted figures released at the meeting that acid rain has covered 30 percent of Chinese territory, expanding from southwest regions in early 1980 toward southern China, causing acid rain in 61.8 percent of cities in the areas.

The workshop was also a platform to exchange experiences in acid rain control.