China - Two-thirds of China's cities fail to meet air standards

China's new rules to combat its notorious air pollution have raised hopes that Beijing is getting serious about curbing this health hazard, but an environment official warned that the country still has a long way to go.

Controlling the level of air pollutants will be 'an arduous task for the country', and two-thirds of China's cities currently cannot meet the stricter air quality standards, according to Vice-Minister of Environmental Protection Wu Xiaoqing.

He was speaking at a press conference yesterday to discuss the impact of tighter rules on 31 major cities that are now required to monitor tiny particles which cause more serious damage to health.

A fast-developing country like China cannot cut its pollution levels to those of industrialised economies, Wu asserted.

"In order to accurately fulfil the (higher) standards set by the World Health Organisation, our country will have an even longer way to go," he said.

The State Council, or China's Cabinet, on Wednesday ordered 31 major cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, to start monitoring PM2.5 particulate, or fine particles measuring 2.5 microns in diameter, this year.

The new measures would be compulsory for another 113 cities next year, and all but the smallest cities must comply by 2015.

Most cities currently base their air quality readings on PM10, which are particles measuring 10 microns or more.

The new policy would "help allay public concern over official air quality readings", the State Council said in a statement. Local authorities came under fire from environmentalists and netizens when they ranked air quality on numerous occasions last year as only "slightly polluted" despite smog blanketing cities and disrupting flights.

Wu affirmed the role played by individuals and social groups in pushing for better air quality.

"We greatly appreciate everyone's support and understanding for environmental protection work," he said.

Heightened public awareness of pollution issues meant that current standards could not satisfy the public's demand for cleaner air, he added.

Though Wu called the new standards "a milestone in China's history of environmental protection", his comments seemed to suggest that pristine air or blue skies are not coming soon.

Asked why the country-wide implementation of stricter rules would take four years, he said that China had "unbalanced development" and that the environmental management of each locale differed. China can adhere to only the environmental standards expected of developing countries.

His views are echoed by environment experts such as Fudan University's Professor Kan Haidong, who has called for China to create its own PM2.5 standards to suit local conditions.

"It is not realistic to expect China... to reach the (low) density of PM2.5 particles in its air like Western industrialised countries," Kan said.

But environmental groups like Greenpeace, which welcomes the latest move, are already pushing for higher standards and more reforms. In particular, Greenpeace is calling for restrictions on China's coal consumption - a key source of fine particles.

China's leaders, worried about the rising health toll and costs from pollution, look to be taking heed.

On Wednesday, the State Council called for the removal of outdated and polluting industrial technology, and for improvements in controlling the pollution of key sectors such as energy and steel.

Grace Ng

The Straits Times

Business & Investment Opportunities

YourVietnamExpert is a division of Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd, Incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Consulting, Investment and Management, focusing three main economic sectors: International PR; Healthcare & Wellness;and Tourism & Hospitality. We also propose Higher Education, as a bridge between educational structures and industries, by supporting international programs. Sign up with twitter to get news updates with @SaigonBusinessC. Thanks.