Environment of China
Beijing air on a day after rain (left) and a
sunny but Smoggy day (right)
This article documents the environment of
mainland People’s Republic of China.
One of the serious negative consequences of
the People’s Republic of China’s rapid indus-
trial development has been increased pollu-
tion, smog, and degradation of natural re-
sources. Much solid waste is not properly dis-
posed of. Water pollution is a source of
health problems across the country, and air
pollution causes up to 1,750,000 premature
deaths each year. China’s polluted environ-
ment is largely a result of the country’s rapid
development and consequently a large in-
crease in primary energy consumption, which
is primarily provided by coal power plants.
China has pursued a development model
which prioritizes exports-led growth (similar
to many other East Asian countries). Forbes
Magazine reports that all 10 of the 10 most
polluted cities in the world are in China.[1]
Nevertheless, China has achieved some
significant improvements to its environment
during the recent years. According to the
World Bank, ’China is one of a few countries
in the world that have been rapidly increas-
ing their forest cover. It is managing to re-
duce air and water pollution.’[2]
As part of US$498 billion economic stimu-
lus package of November 2008 (the largest in
China’s history), the government plans to en-
hance sewage and rubbish treatment facilit-
ies and prevent water pollution, accelerate
green belt and natural forest planting pro-
grams, and increase energy conservation ini-
tiatives and pollution control projects.[3]
Environmental issues
Efforts to control China’s pollution problem
have become a top priority of the Chinese
leadership. In March 1998, the State Envir-
onmental Protection Administration (SEPA)
was officially upgraded to a ministry-level
agency, reflecting the growing importance
the PRC Government places on environment-
al protection. Beginning in 2006, the govern-
ment greatly expanded expenses into envir-
onmental protection, and