The municipal government of Maoming in the southern region of Guangdong province is inclined not to approve the construction of a petrochemical plant if majority of the residents do not approve. 

Over 1,000 residents of Maoming staged a rally over the weekend in front of the municipal hall protesting the construction of the plant.

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The Maoming petrochemical facility is expected to produce at least 600,000 tons annually.

Petrochemical plant projects were envisioned to rise in Dalian, Kunming and Xiamen since 2007 but were suspended over fears of long-term damage to the environment.

These petrochemical plants are essential in the production of raw materials for polyester products used to make downstream plastics and textiles.

The state-owned refining company, the China Petroleum and Chemical (Sinopec) Corp reports that there will be a shortage in polyester since most petrochemical plants are producing below capacity.

The project shortage is expected to reach 9.5 million tons with the domestic production supplying 47% of needs in 2013.