The paper industry around one of China's largest and most famous freshwater lakes will be shut down and removed by 2019, according to an announcement made by government authorities in central China.

Pulping manufacturers and outdated paper-making capacity in three cities and one district around Dongting Lake in Hunan Province will be removed by the end of 2018, while all paper mills will be closed by the end of next year, reports Chinese state media Xinhua.