Port of L.A. delegation, Chinese officials to discuss air quality

Port of L.A. delegation, Chinese officials to discuss air quality    A Port of Los Angeles delegation is visiting China and Taiwan this week as part of a pact between the United States and China to manage air pollution from marine vessels and ports.
   China is the port's biggest trading partner, with more than $64 million worth of cargo coming through the Los Angeles last year alone, the port said in a statement.
   The visit includes meetings and presentations at the ports of Shanghai and Taipei, with discussions focused on reducing diesel emissions and managing urban air pollution resulting from port-related operations.
   Los Angeles will assist the Port of Shanghai in establishing an advisory group, which will be modeled after the California Air Resources Board's Maritime Working Group. The U.S. Environmental Protection agency holds a cooperative agreement in environmental protection with China's State Environmental Protection Administration.
   On Sept. 2, the ports of Los Angeles and Shanghai entered into a draft friendship port agreement and signed a letter of intent to collaborate on air quality issues.