Pursuing non-harmful economic growth policies
(China Daily)
Updated: 2005-03-19 10:19

During the country's "Go-West Campaign," heavily polluting factories should not be allowed into the western region to pursue economic growth at the cost of the environment, says an article in People's Daily. An excerpt follows:

As China's southeast region took the development pattern of "pollute the environment first, pay to improve it later" in its early developmental stages, some resource-consuming and polluting enterprises became local growth engines. However, this development pattern is no longer sustainable. The once beautiful landscape in these region is dotted with fouled waters and denuded land, and local economies have lost considerable growth momentum.

Only recently, the southeast region awoke to the reality and ordered the phase-out of some big polluters. But surprisingly, some parts of the western region are following the outmoded development pattern. To achieve a quick "from-rags-to-riches" transformation, some local officials have invited in big polluters once again. As a result, the western region is witnessing a boom of small cement and steel manufacturers.

The western region is sparsely covered with vegetation, which can hardly help it recover from destruction. The ecology in this region is fragile. In addition, the western region is home to many rare animals, like endangered giant pandas, rare Tibetan antelope and wild horses. Too much land exploitation will endanger the lives of these precious animals. Ecological safety is of vital importance to the western region and its local economic development.

Environmental protection will not hold back the development of the western region. The vast and geographically distinctive region enjoys rich cultural heritage, diversified climate, and comparatively unique species. These merits determine that agriculture and tourism are the top two economic advantages, and should be placed atop government agenda.