Reforms expected to tackle smog

Blue skies and warm sunlight returned to Beijing on Thursday, after residents were choked by smog for a whole week before long-awaited showers and wind swept it away.

Yet the prolonged fug, which affected many parts of north and east China, once again highlighted the urgency of tackling environmental pollution, after decades of rapid economic growth.

Smog has been a major concern for the public since early 2013 after frequent bouts of such conditions forced elders and children indoors. The hope of solving it lies in economic restructuring and reducing energy consumption and emissions.

"The government should step up efforts to treat smog. Otherwise, there will be no improvement," said Li Fangxian, a resident of Tianjin, which neighbors Beijing.

Consensus has formed in China that the growth model, which features excessive energy consumption and environmental degradation, must be adjusted to promote sound and sustainable development.

At a symposium on Wednesday after a tour in smoggy Beijing, President Xi Jinping urged strengthened efforts to control smog. He said the priority is to limit PM2.5 by reducing dependence on coal, limiting emissions from vehicles and adjusting industry structures.

In November, the Communist Party of China unveiled a package of comprehensive reform moves. Chinese citizens have high expectations for implementing the landmark blueprint in the new era.

"Reform is the biggest dividend for China and also the iron and steel industry," said Ren Hao, chairman of Shandong Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd. that struggles in a sector that has been troubled by overcapacity and thin profits.

The company will earmark 450 million yuan (73 million U.S. dollars), or a third of its total fixed assets investment, in 2014 to energy saving said Ren, vowing to increase profits through market-oriented reforms.

As restructuring measures for "green development," Hebei Province will slash capacities by 15 million tonnes for steel, 10 million tonnes for cement and will use 15 million fewer tonnes of coal this year.

Leading groups for comprehensive reform at provincial level have already been established, after such a group was set up at central level, headed by President Xi Jinping.

The leading groups' heading by top Party officials at central and local levels showed the country's resolve to implement reforms.

Since late last year, reforms have been rolled out, including the easing of the one-child policy and reform of the industrial and commercial registration system.

The country's top oil refiner, Sinopec, said in February that it would bring in social and private capital to jointly market and sell its oil products, the first opening up of the largely monopolized area.

Improving quality and efficiency is one of the top priorities among economic reforms. Most provinces have reined in growth targets this year while vowing to push forward reforms in the economy and other fields.

"Citizens should not only listen to what the government says, but more importantly they should see what it does and what real changes take place," said Zhu Liangyu, a national lawmaker.

It is undeniable that many deep-seated problems in economic and social development remain around China, and it will not be possible to resolve them completely in a short period of time, said Wang Zhongwu, a sociology professor at Shandong University.

But "a good start is half way to success," said Wang.

The annual two sessions of the country's top legislature and political advisory body will be held in early March. The environment joins house prices, employment policy, anti-corruption efforts and social insurance services as major topics which citizens expect to be discussed at the sessions.

The government faces real tests of its wisdom and ability to govern as people will see what progress can be achieved in handling China's problems this year, according to Wang.