SCIO briefing on 2017 government work report

Phoenix TV:

We have noticed that this year's government work report uses very strong words in stressing environmental pollution and measures to tackle it, such as "working hard to tackle smog, pledging to make skies blue again….and sticking to the bottom line of environmental protection." In fact, previous government reports also used quite a lot of similar strong words in this regard, but people generally don't believe the results have been satisfactory. So, in terms of the public sense of security, what kind of measures do you think in this year's government work report can be put into place, so as to make people feel happier? Thank you.

Huang Shouhong:

From statistical analysis, nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions have continuously been declining in recent years, which is a basic fact. Statistics released by the Beijing Municipality some time ago also show the number of blue-sky days has been increasing, while the number of smoggy days has fallen, and the ecological environment has taken a turn for the better, which is also the real situation.

The premier's government work report this time has greatly increased the wordage devoted to tackling smog, and provided a detailed introduction of many relevant measures. This is actually a message conveyed by the Chinese government that greater efforts will be made in dealing with smog. As you said just now, the government made similar remarks in the past, such as "we will do this and we will do that." But, I think the current situation is quite different.

First, there is consensus in society. That doesn't mean there was no consensus in the past in strengthening environmental protection and tackling pollution. The fact is that the consensus was not as strong as now. The situation was complicated. Some local officials thought there might be a contradiction between tackling environmental pollution and ensuring economic growth in a certain period. To tackle environmental pollution, we have to increase investment and shut down some enterprises, and this is a price we have to pay. In many cases, a bad thing can be turned into a good one. As soon as a crisis comes, and when the situation becomes serious, the society can quickly form a consensus. Now, after several rounds of severe smoggy days, a consensus has been reached and has become much stronger than before. Otherwise, it's hard for us to convince people and it's hard for us to persuade local governments in this regard.

Second, the government certainly has a determination to tackle the problem. Nothing can be done without such determination. We have both the determination and the means to control pollution. After continuous research and exploration, we know better now about the sources of smog. As we all know, smog is mainly caused by coal burning, industrial activity and motor vehicle emissions, as well as meteorological conditions and other factors. Now we have found the sources of pollution, we can take appropriate measures to deal with them. Our measures are also powerful. As mentioned in Premier Li Keqiang's government work report, a 24-hour online monitoring system will be implemented in regard to all major industrial pollution sources, and a deadline is set for polluting enterprises to meet the required standards. These enterprises will be resolutely shut down if they fail to attain the required standards in due time.

These are unprecedentedly powerful measures. We also have legal protection. The Environmental Protection Law is known as the strictest law in Chinese judicial history. It clarified the behaviors that violate the law and can be treated as criminal acts. The government has created a proper accountability system, and Premier Li Keqiang has stated that, in three specific circumstances, offenders will severely be held accountable.

While tackling smog, we must have a sense of urgency, a sense of responsibility, and sufficient patience. As it takes more than one cold day to freeze ice hard, the trouble is deep-rooted, and it is impossible for us to eliminate it within a single day. So, the idea to accomplish the whole task at one stroke is unrealistic. Tackling smog and environmental pollution and the development are not completely consistent within a certain period. That's why many countries contend for discharge capacities in climate negotiations. Such contradiction occurs in every country, the key is to have a sense of propriety in this process.

We must unswervingly control pollution and improve the environment. We must be prepared to tackle outstanding problems and get ready for a prolonged struggle. In the age of famine, people were only worried about being adequately fed; now, when living standards are steadily improving, they have wider concerns. In the same way, people had only one requirement in starving days, but they will have more requirements in well-fed days.

Some people have said that the fastest way to control pollution is to shut down all the polluting enterprises and turn off all the boilers. It might be the simplest, but it is not feasible. So, we have to find a balance, to find a win-win and multi-win way for economic development and improve the ecological environment.