An automated ion chromatographic (IC) system has been developed for the simultaneous determination of sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides and hydrogen chloride in flue gas. The sample gas was collected in a hollow cylindrical absorption bottle with a fritted glass bubbler containing 5% triethanolamine (TEA)-absorbing solution and was then determined by IC. Nitrogen monoxide was also collected in a TEA solution after oxidation to nitrogen dioxide by UV irradiation. A designed IC apparatus was operated automatically for sampling and determination. The time required for one cycle was about 55 min. The detection limits of SO 2, NO 2 and HCl were 0.3 ppm, 0.1 ppm and 0.1 ppm (all v/v) with a 5-l gas volume, respectively. The interference of carbonate ion was eliminated by using a separation column of IonPac AS7 and an anion self-regeneration suppressor.