China solar company pledges toxic waste cleanup

SHANGHAI (AP) - A solar panel maker targeted by violent protests over pollution from a factory in east China has apologized and says it will do what's necessary to clean it up.

Jinko Solar Holding Co., parent company of the factory in Haining city, west of Shanghai, acknowledged in a statement issued Monday that initial tests showed pollutants may have reached a nearby river due to "improper storage of waste containing flouride."

Police detained at least 20 people after hundreds protested last week, some storming the factory compound and overturning vehicles. Authorities said the factory had failed to redress earlier environmental violations.

Jinko Solar said any deficiencies in environmental protection would be "immediately remedied."