Local governments and the public must pay more attention to improving the environment, says an article in Dazhong Daily. The following is an excerpt:

Two pieces of environmental news caught our attention. One was that 90 transnational enterprises were listed as high-polluting companies. The list was compiled by a non-governmental organization. The other was that many high-polluting companies are moving to rural areas while villagers say they are more worried about poverty than pollution.

It is not news that some multinational companies use double standards where pollution is concerned in China. Last year 33 companies were cited for breaking environmental regulations in China. Transferring pollution to the rural areas is nothing new either. But now it seems the public and local governments are quite willing to sacrifice the environment for economic results.

It is only when the public and local governments realize the importance of the environment can pollution be curbed.

Local governments cannot shirk their responsibility for allowing some multinational companies becoming polluting giants. Big companies normally contribute much to local GDP growth and fiscal revenues. Regional governments view this as political achievements and are not willing to shut them down.

Public disinterest in the environment makes the problem even more serious. Many people do not realize the importance of the environment on living conditions. And there is a lack of a mechanism for the public to have a say. There are examples of civil environmental organizations having a say to stop polluting projects, but these are few.

The improvement of the environment needs more attention by local governments and the public. Environmental protection campaigns that crop up from time to time do not get to the root of the problem.

(China Daily August 22, 2007)