China Exclusive: Environmental official publishes sequel to smog novel

A Chinese environmental regulator has published a new sequel after his first novel about smog gained national attention.

Li Chunyuan, deputy director of the Environment Protection Bureau in Langfang city, Hebei Province, made his name as an author after his first novel, "Smog Is Coming," was published last June. It has sold 30,000 copies and excerpts published online have received 100 million page views.

The sequel, "The Conundrum of Smog," is the second in Li's smog trilogy and hit shelves this week. It explores bureaucracy, fraud and controversy surrounding a smog-related pollution crisis in a Chinese city.

The hero of the first novel was Lyu Zhengtian, head of the environmental protection bureau of E County. The second novel centers on higher-ranking officials, as Li draws characters and scenes from his work in Langfang, a city neighboring Beijing which has been regularly covered by smog.

The second novel weaves a story about government action, obstacles and the varying interests of different parties in a pollution crisis, Li said.

"In the war between smog and man, have the government, companies and the public really made efforts in the same direction?" Li asks in the latest book.

"Through fictional stories, I challenge people to abide by moral, legal and scientific rules and work to curb the crisis," Li said.

Li said that many local government officials think more about their private interests than the big picture.

Environmental workers still face huge shortages in manpower and funding, even after the environmental law was amended to give regulators more power to deter polluters.

"It was like a small horse dragging a big cart," he said.

Li also calls on the public to bear some responsibility in his books.

"The main forces in battling smog are the government and industrial polluters, but the general public is also responsible. We cannot be stuck in the blame game," said Li, adding that burning coal, torching fields after harvest, setting off fireworks and driving all contribute to smog.

Explanations of environmental jargon, law and regulations can be found in the appendix of his books.

"I hope to raise awareness through my publications and move people to action," said Li. Endi