Air pollution big issue for the Chinese Communist Party

Want China Times, Xinhua 2013-12-08

Tianjin shrouded in smog, Dec. 7. (Photo/Xinhua)

The Nanjing government issued a "red alert" — the most serious — for air pollution as smog continued to shroud eastern China for the fifth straight day.

In Shanghai, PM 2.5, or particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, reached a staggering reading of 602.5. In the city's Lujiazui area, China's financial center, pedestrians covered their faces with thick masks.

Since skyrocketing economic growth usually ensures a fast track for promotion, Chinese officials have scrambled for heavy industrial projects that draw huge investment, and they often do so at the cost of the environment. President Xi Jinping promised to try and change the focus on GDP in selecting officials for promotion.

President Xi has called for comprehensive efforts to curb pollution, particularly in areas surrounding rivers and lakes as well as targeting major air-polluting industries.

Stressing that only "the strictest system and tightest law enforcement" can ensure the future of China's environment, Xi has urged that those behind irresponsible decision-making that leads to severe pollution should take responsibility for their actions.

The State Council, China's cabinet, outlined ten measures in June for curbing the air pollution that is plaguing the country, vowing that it would lay down "tough measures for a tough task."

Green innovation should be incorporated into any economic reform, the State Council announced.

The State Council promised to strictly control high energy-consuming and polluting industries, adjust energy infrastructure and control levels of PM 2.5 in populated regions and major cities.

It set a goal of reducing emissions of major air pollutants by industries by at least 30% by the end of 2017.

According to environmental protection officials, it used to be common practice to place pollution monitors strategically in places that would result in less serious readings, but this year these tactics are less common.

"Curbing air pollution is a complicated and systematic project that requires long-term effort," the cabinet noted in a statement.

Xiang Lili, a university professor in Nanjing, had to ask for leave to take care of her 4-year-old son on Friday when all the schools in the city closed because of the red alert.

"If the government cannot reverse the poor air quality, I will be really disillusioned about the future of our society," Xiang said.

Officials and activists say the state of the environment has become a thorny issue in relations between the Communist Party and the public.

"The heavy smog outside is a wake-up call for everybody," said Gao Wenxue, deputy director of the environment protection bureau in the city of Huai'an, Jiangsu Province.

"If we can't resolve the environmental problems, there will be a significant impact on relations between the party and the people, in terms of social stability," Gao said.

Social networking websites and applications meanwhile were awash with tips for living through the smog crisis.

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