英闻天下——371 Cross-regional Cooperation Aims at Pollution（在线收听） |
In the 1990s, China became the "world's factory" after its opening up and economic reform. Many coastal provinces in the east have accumulated a wealth of capital since then. In recent years, however, the country has been witnessing a wave of industrial transfer against the backdrop of the global economic downturn and China's determination to develop its western region. Professor Mao Xianqiang is Vice Chair of Environmental Economics Division of Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences.
"The economic efficiency of the eastern provinces is on the wane. Their labor costs are increasing rapidly, while the central and western provinces have developed some advantages in this regard. On the other hand, people in the East now ask for a better living environment, while those in the West still need to prioritize economic growth."
The nationwide industrial reshuffle, however, has raised environmental concerns among citizens. Zhang Quan is one of them. As the director of the Shanghai Environmental Protection Bureau, he says if the government doesn't have strict standards, the pollution may be transferred to the West along with the reshuffled projects.
"The pollution that occurs during the transfer process may have a worse impact on the West than on the East. Although there are fewer people in the West, the ecological system is rather fragile. And it is also the birthplace of many rivers in the country, such as the Yangtze River and Yellow River."
As a deputy to the 12th National People's Congress, Zhang Quan also says no city can remain aloof from the worsening environment, as environmental issues in China now tend to develop around certain watersheds or regions.
In fact, the National "12th Five-Year Plan" for Environmental Protection mentions the cross-regional cooperation and has established general functional zones from an overall view. But experts believe further details still need to be nailed down.
Environment professor Mao Xianqiang explains.
"Now whenever the Party introduces new projects, it has a responsibility to conduct environmental assessments. But we don't have any regulations for the Party whenever it rolls out polluting industries."
For CRI, I'm He Fei. |
| 原文地址：http://www.tingroom.com/lesson/ywtx/206342.html |