"As the ecological environment in China is worsening and
desertification, floods, and droughts prevail in some areas,
the country should double its efforts in protecting the eco-system,"
said Li Huazhong at a group seminar of the Liaoning delegation
from China's northeastern province. Li is member of the Environment
and Resources Protection Committee of the National People's
Congress (NPC) and one of the first group of excellent entrepreneurs
of the country.
Li is in Beijing
for the annual NPC session. As a deputy long engaged in environmental
studies, he expresses his concern and offers suggestions for
the country's environmental construction.
According to Li,
deserts and desertified areas in the country account for 17.6
percent of total land and cover 29 provinces and autonomous
regions, mostly in the northwest and northeast.
He analyses reasons
for ecological crisis. Overgrazing by animals in some areas
has destroyed the natural local conditions. Shortage of water
aggravates droughts and increases sandstorms in the north.
Tree felling has accelerated soil erosion, especially at river
sources.
A sound eco-system
is crucial for a country's long-term development. The vicious
circle relating to ecology and economic progress should be
broken.
Li added that,
although achievements have been obtained in some areas, yet
China should establish associations for large rivers and lakes,
which conduct continual surveys and investigations instead
of mending problems only when an emergency arises. Timely
rescue and management can be done in this way.
On the other hand,
China should increase its input in both investment and science
and technology so as to improve the efficiency of its environmental
protection.
(CIIC by Guo Xiaohong
03/14/2001)
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