The environmental history of the People's Republic of China

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Pollution and ecological deterioration worsening in China
By Zhang Kai, October Review, 28 February 1998. The destruction and pollution of China's ecological environment has long been an acute problem. Although laws have been promulgated by the National People's Congress, leading cadres are concerned with developing the economy at the expense of the environment.
Chinese Haven't a Clue about Environmental Protection
EarthVision Reports, 22 June 1999. A survey shows the general public has no clear idea of what it should and can do for environmental protection. The World Bank says in Beijing pollutant-belching factories, coal-fired heating systems and decrepit vehicles mean air pollution is up to 20 times levels found in developed countries. The environmental survey conducted by the State Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Education, was the most comprehensive of its kind ever conducted in China.
Putting an end to a plastic plague
By Xu Zhengfeng, Asia Times, 17 August 1999. Across China, the government and communities are waking up to the environmental headache that society's free use of disposable, non-biodegradable packaging is causing. China is turning into the world's largest market for disposables. A major campaign to make Chinese consumers change their throwaway mentality.
China Bleakly Evaluates Environment
Associated Press, Monday 5 June 2000. From poisoned rivers to choking cities, China bleakly assessed its environment today but promised to do more to reverse severe degradation. But the report was not all bad news.
China Issues Report on State of Environment in 2000
Xinhua, 5 June 2001. While China basically realized its environmental protection goals 2000, a curb on pollution and improved air quality in major cities and regions, the pollution remains grave, Conflicts between water supply and demand; the trend of ecological degradation not been effectively controlled.
Chinese cities get awards for environment
DAWN (Pakistan), 6 June 2002. The Chinese industrial boomtown of Shenzhen and a desert-prone county in north China have been given UN awards for their efforts in defending the environment, but the announcement came only days after Beijing admitted that water and air pollution in some places was reaching hazardous levels.