DW - China To "Get Tough" On Air Pollution W. New Plan, But Specifics, Implementation Lacking

[hatrack]

The announcement follows another decision by the state council to introduce ten measures to combat air pollution. The new regulations include a target to reduce pollution emissions in heavy-polluting industries as well as the development of clean energy supplies.

According to China expert Isabel Hilton, from the non-profit organisation chinadialogue, the issue of pollution has become a major political problem for the government. Overall the dire state of China's environment has become an important factor in the growing public protests that has the government worried over political stability and its own legitimacy, Hilton told DW.

"For many years the authorities simply withheld the facts from the public, but today anyone can buy a hand held monitor that tells you exactly how bad the air is you are breathing. It is impossible to conceal and people are demanding action," she said.

The recent announcement fails to provide details as to how the five-year targets are to be met. This raises the question of who should implement the new measures and how it should be done. Hilton argues that the Ministry of Environmental Protection is weak and "lacks the clout to take on the important economic and industrial interests." The expert says that even though the ministry sets standards and issues regulations, "they are widely ignored and the penalties for pollution have been too small and too poorly applied to be effective."

EDIT

http://www.dw.de/china-to-get-tough-on-air-pollution/a-16985124

[Nihil]

1. Reminds me of some other countries I know ... (n/t)