National Implementation of Agenda 21
|
Information Provided by the Government of China to the
United Nations Department for Policy Coordination and
Sustainable Development
|
This country profile has been provided by:
Name of Ministry/Office: The Government of the People's Republic of China Date: May 20, 1997 Submitted by: Qin Huasun Title: Permanent Representative to UN Mailing address: Telephone: Telefax: E-mail:
Note from the Secretariat: An effort has been made to present all country profiles within a common format, with an equal number of pages. However, where Governments have not provided information for the tables appended to Chapters 4 and 17, those tables have been omitted entirely in order to reduce the overall length of the profile and save paper. Consequently, there may be some minor inconsistencies among the formats of the different country profiles.
All statistics are rendered as provided by the respective Governments.
|
APELL | Awareness and Preparedness for Emergencies at Local Level |
CFC | chlorofluorocarbon |
CGIAR | Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research |
CILSS | Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel |
EEZ | exclusive economic zone |
ECA | Economic Commission for Africa |
ECE | Economic Commission for Europe |
ECLAC | Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean |
ELCI | Environmental Liaison Centre International |
EMINWA | environmentally sound management of inland water |
ESCAP | Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific |
ESCWA | Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia |
FAO | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |
GATT | General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade |
GAW | Global Atmosphere Watch (WMO) |
GEF | Global Environment Facility |
GEMS | Global Environmental Monitoring System (UNEP) |
GEMS/WATER | Global Water Quality Monitoring Programme |
GESAMP | Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution |
GIPME | Global Investigation of Pollution in Marine Environment (UNESCO) |
GIS | Geographical Information System |
GLOBE | Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment |
GOS | Global Observing System (WMO/WWW) |
GRID | Global Resource Information Database |
GSP | generalized system of preferences |
HIV | human immunodeficiency virus |
IAEA | International Atomic Energy Agency |
IAP-WASAD | International Action Programme on Water and Sustainable Agricultural Development |
IARC | International Agency for Research on Cancer |
IBSRAM | International Board of Soil Resources and Management |
ICCA | International Council of Chemical Associations |
ICES | International Council for the Exploration of the Sea |
ICPIC | International Cleaner Production Information Clearing House |
ICSC | International Civil Service Commission |
ICSU | International Council of Scientific Unions |
IEEA | Integrated environmental and economic accounting |
IFAD | International Fund for Agricultural Development |
IGADD | Intergovernmental Authority for Drought and Development |
IGBP | International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (ICSU) |
IGBP/START | International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme/Global Change System for Analysis, Research and Training |
ILO | International Labour Organisation |
IMF | International Monetary Fund |
IMO | International Maritime Organization |
INFOTERRA | International Environment Information system (UNEP) |
IOC | Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission |
IPCC | Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |
IPCS | International Programme on Chemical Safety |
IPM | integrated pest management |
IRPTC | International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals |
ITC | International Tin Council |
ITTO | International Tropical Timber Organization |
IUCN | International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
MARPOL | International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships |
OECD | Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development |
PGRFA | plant genetic resources for agriculture |
PIC | prior informed consent procedure |
SADCC | South African Development Co-ordination Conference |
SARD | sustainable agriculture and rural development |
UNCTAD | United Nations Conference on Trade and Development |
UNDP | United Nations Development Programme |
UNDRO | Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Coordinator |
UNEP | United Nations Environment Programme |
UNESCO | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization |
UNFPA | United Nations Population Fund |
UNICEF | United Nations Children's Fund |
UNIDO | United Nations Industrial Development Organization |
UNU | United Nations University |
WCP | World Climate Programme (WMO/UNEP/ICSU/UNESCO) |
WFC | World Food Council |
WHO | World Health Organization |
WMO | World Meteorological Organization |
WWF | World Wide Fund for Nature (also called World Wildlife Fund) |
WWW | World Weather Watch (WMO) |
Since the UNCED held in Rio in 1992, the Government of China has taken a responsible attitude in implementing China's commitments made at UNCED. A comprehensive series of efforts has been implemented to carry out Agenda 21 in the context of the country-specific conditions of China, and the following remarkable progress has been achieved:
The nation's 10-Point Strategy for Sustainable Development was adopted by the Chinese Government in August 1992 to proclaim that China's inevitable choice is to follow the path of sustainable development.
An organisational management system has been established in order to give impetus to the implementation of the nation's sustainable development strategy. The Leading Group of China's Agenda 21, was established by the Chinese Central Government in August of 1992. Its purpose is to guide and coordinate the formulation and implementation of China's Agenda 21. Under the leadership of the State Planning Commission and the State Science and Technology Commission, an administrative office -- the Administrative Centre for China's Agenda 21 -- was also established to address the day-to-day work of implementing China's Agenda 21 and its Priority Programme according to the directives of the Leading Group and its office. Altogether, 21 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities across the country had set up their local Leading Groups and offices for Agenda 21 by the end of October of 1996.
Sustainable development strategies have been formulated at different levels for the State, departments, and local governments respectively. The Chinese Government finalized and published the sustainable development strategy for China in 1994, "China's Agenda 21 -- White Paper on China's Population, Environment, and Development in the 21st Century" (hereinafter referred to as "China's Agenda 21" ). Guided by China's Agenda 21, many provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities have developed, or are in the process of developing, their respective Agenda 21 or Plans of Action. Also, several ministries have made, or are making, their Agenda 21 or Plans of Action in their specific fields.
The strategy of sustainable development has been incorporated into national economic and social development plans. This is an essential step that will enable China to carry out her national strategy of sustainable development. With support from the UNDP, the relevant departments of the Chinese Government have conducted research and training courses in integrating Agenda 21 into plans for national economic and social development. This has played a positive role in assisting local governments at various levels to work out their Ninth Five-Year Plans and Long-Term Objectives for the Year 2010. In March 17, 1996, the Fourth Session of the Eighth National People's Congress (i.e., the Parliament of China) adopted the "Outline of the Ninth Five-Year Plan for National Social and Economic Development and the Long-Term Objectives for the Year 2010". These documents proclaim sustainable development as an important guiding principle of the nation, and relevant decisions on implementing this strategy in the future have been developed.
The processes of drafting new legislation and improving law enforcement relevant to sustainable development have been accelerated to promote the implementation of the sustainable development strategy. These steps are necessary to ensure a more scientific and systematic implementation of sustainable development into the legal system.
Social groups and the public have been organised and mobilised to participate in implementing the sustainable development strategy. Local governments at different levels in China, as well as social groups have conducted a number of training courses and have made tremendous efforts to disseminate the concept of sustainable development by launching extensive publicity campaigns using the television, radio broadcasting, newspapers, and magazines, thus enhancing the whole nation's awareness of sustainable development. The ideology and strategy of sustainable development has now won extensive support from people of all walks of life, including all social groups in China. Positive progress in spreading the concept of sustainable development has been made due to the participation of women, youth, labour unions, peasants (particularly those from ethnic minorities), as well as science and technology circles.
Proceeding from the spirit of establishing global partnerships, international co-operation has been actively sought in the realm of environment and development. Supported by relevant agencies of the United Nations, international organisations, the governments of many other nations, and the business community, the Chinese Government held the First and Second International High-Level Round-Table Conferences on China's Agenda 21 in 1994 and 1996 respectively. These two conferences helped promote the exchange of experience and gave new impetus to international co-operation in the field of sustainable development.
It has become clear that China has made substantial advances in the area of sustainable development and has developed the capacity to continue doing so. In this way, the Chinese people and Government have shown their commitment to the principles laid down in Agenda 21 and their desire to strive towards a sustainable future.
|
1. Key National Sustainable Development Coordination Mechanism(s)/Council(s).
Contact point (Name, Title, Office): Telephone: Fax: e-mail: Mailing address:
2. Membership/Composition/Chairperson Leading members State Planning Commission; State Science and Technology Commission; Associate leading members State Economic and Trade Commission; National Environmental Protection Agency; 2a. List of ministries and agencies involved: Ministry of Foreign Affairs; State Commission for Restructuring Economy; State Education Commission; State Nationalities Affairs Commission; Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Labour; Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources; Ministry of Construction; Ministry of Electric Power; Ministry of Coal Industry; Ministry of Railways; Ministry of Communications; Ministry of Machine-Building Industry; Ministry of Electronics Industry; Ministry of Metallurgical Industry; Ministry of Chemical Industry; Ministry of Water Resources; Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of Forestry; Ministry of Internal Trade; Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation; Ministry of Radio, Film and Television; Ministry of Public Health; State Family Planning Commission; People's Bank of China; Bureau of Legislative Affairs of the State Council; Chinese Academy of Sciences; State Statistical Bureau; State Tourism Administration; State Oceanic Administration; China Meteorological Agency; State Seismological Bureau; State Land Administration; State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine; State Bureau of Nuclear Safety; Xinhua News Agency; People's Daily; China National Council of Light Industry; China National Textile Council; China National Nuclear Corporation; China National Petroleum Corporation; China National Offshore Oil Corporation; China National Nonferrous Metals Industry Corporation; All-China Federation of Trade Union; All-China Women's Federation; Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China; China Science and Technology Association; National Patriotic Public Health Campaign Committee; The State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development; China National Committee for the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction. 2b. Names of para-statal bodies and institutions involved, as well as participation of academic and private sectors: Chinese Academy of Sciences; Chinese Academy of Agriculture Science; Tsinghua University; Beijing University; etc. 2c. Names of non-governmental organizations: The Sustainable Development Society; etc. 3. Mandate role of above mechanism/council: The mission of the Leading Group for China's Agenda 21 is to organize and coordinate the formulation and implementation of China's Agenda 21 and its associated Priority Programme 4. If available, attach a diagram (organization chart) showing national coordination structure and linkages between ministries: Submitted by (Name): Signature: Title: Date: Ministry/Office: Telephone: Fax: e-mail:
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 2: INTERNATIONAL
COOPERATION TO ACCELERATE SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND RELATED
DOMESTIC POLICIES (with special emphasis on TRADE)
China is committed to participate in international
organizations and strengthen international cooperation. China
encourages the establishment of an international trade regime that
is fair, stable, non-discriminatory, predictable and takes
into account the interests of developing nations. China is
committed to take an active part in global environmental
protection activities.
Since 1978, China has been experiencing a period of fundamental
economic restructuring, involving a gradual
transition from a planned economy to a socialist market economy.
The Chinese economy has been gradually integrating
itself into the global economic system. Dramatic changes have been
undertaken in the following:
-- the structure of ownership through the introduction of
individual, private and foreign capital ownership,
-- income distribution,
-- economic operations through the combination of planning and
market mechanisms,
-- the decentralisation of decision-making.
The ultimate target of economic restructuring is the
establishment of a socialist market economy by the end of this
century, through, inter alia, the development of markets, a modern
enterprise system, and comprehensive reforms of the
financial, tax, banking, investment and planning systems.
Proceeding from the spirit of estabishing global partnerships,
international co-operation has been actively sought in the
realm of environment and development. Supported by relevant
agencies of the United Nations, international organisations,
the governments of many other nations, and the business community,
the Chinese Government held the First and Second
International High-Level Round Table Conferences on China's Agenda
21 in 1994 and 1996 respectively. These two
conferences helped promote the exchange of experience and gave new
impetus to international co-operation in the field of
sustainable development.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: Chapter 2: Strategies and
policies for sustainable development.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues:
In order to promote international cooperation on China's Agenda 21
and establish cooperative partnerships on the global
environment and development, the Chinese Government has formulated
the "Priority Programme for China's Agenda 21".
The Priority Programme includes 82 projects covering the following
9 priority areas:
capacity building for sustainable development
sustainable agriculture
cleaner production and environmental protection industry
clean energy and transportation
conservation and sustainable utilisation of natural resources
environmental pollution control
poverty alleviation and regional development
population, health, and human settlements
global climate change and biodiversity conservation
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 3: COMBATING POVERTY
Formulation of the poverty alleviation plan
According to the national poverty alleviation plan (the "Helping
Eighty Million People in Seven Years" Plan), the State
will do all it can to solve the problems of inadequate food and
clothing for the 80 million poverty-stricken rural people in a
seven year period from 1994 to 2000. This will be accomplished by
concentrating the manpower, material and financial
resources of the country and mobilising all the forces of society.
After three years of hard work, China's poverty-stricken
population had dropped from 80 to 58 million by the end of 1996.
In 1995, the net annual per capita income for those
counties listed as major alleviation targets by the State had
reached RMB 824 yuan and the available per capita grain
allocation reached 353.5 kg.
Mobilisation of societal forces participating in poverty
alleviation
-- Organising the corresponding central party departments, State
departments, enterprises, and institutions to offer direct
help
At present, 122 central party departments, State departments,
large-scale enterprises, and institutions have established
relationships of designated assistance with 330 key poor counties
(these account for 56% of the poor counties in the
country). In 1995 alone, the above-listed work units made
investments worth RMB 947 million yuan in materials and
capital and introduced investment worth RMB 990 million yuan into
the recipient counties. The various State departments
also started scores of departmental or sectoral plans for promoting
development in poor regions, such as "Poverty
Alleviation through Transportation", "Drinking Water for Both
Humans and Livestock", and "Common Prosperity
through Development of the Electric Structure".
-- Organising aid from the developed regions to under-developed
regions
Early in 1995, the State initiated the "Projects for
Cooperation between the Township Enterprises in East and West
China" with the aim of encouraging the development of township and
village enterprises in the poor central and western
parts of the country and promoting the growth of the rural economy.
One hundred pilot areas for TVE cooperation will
be set up in central and western China by the year 2000, with 1000
industrial pilot projects started, 1000 mature new
technologies and products disseminated, and 100 sister counties
(cities) of bilateral cooperation matched, in order to utilise
regional advantages between the eastern and western regions,
promote common prosperity, and narrow the regional
disparity. In 1996 the State Council drew up a poverty-alleviation
programme which required that six provinces and three
municipalities directly under central administration, and four
cities of independent economic planning along the coast help
ten provinces and autonomous regions in the west. This programme
has proceeded smoothly.
Arrangements for resettlement
The Government has organised voluntary resettlement for those who
are willing to leave those hometowns which are poor
in natural conditions and resources. By moving out of these towns,
nearly one million people have managed to find better
food and clothing supplies. For example over 600,000 people have
moved out of the desolate areas in the poorest regions
of Dingxi Prefecture of Gansu Province and Xi-Hai-Gu Region of the
Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.
Improvement of infrastructure in poor areas
By 1995, the poor counties, with major governmental support, had
expanded the acreage of their basic farmland by
269,000 hectares. Also, drinking water was newly channelled to
7.56 million people and 6.09 million livestock. More
than 30,000 kilometres of new highways had been constructed, so
that 98.3% of the towns in the countryside are now
connected by highways, more than 31,000 kilometres of electric
transmission lines had been constructed (88.4% of the
villages were powered by the grid network), and there were
substantial improvements in cultural life, education, and
sanitary conditions in the poor regions.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: By the end of 1992, there were
80 million Chinese people still living in poverty. These people
(8.8% of the total rural population) live mostly in the rural areas
of central and western China or in the remote mountains.
In the early 1990s, the Chinese Government declared that it would
work to solve the problems of food and clothing
supplies for these 80 million poverty-stricken people by the year
2000 and thus enable poor regions to embark on the path
of sustainable development early in the next century.
1. Decision-Making Structure: The State Council Leading
Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development is the
main governmental organisation responsible for the issues related
to poverty alleviation.
An Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development in
Poverty-stricken Areas was also established.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues:
Building capacity for self-development in poor regions
The officials and the public in poor regions, with the support of
the Government, are encouraged to alleviate poverty
through self-reliance, hard work, scientific and technological
progress, market-oriented production, developing and
utilising local resources, increasing commodity production, and
solving the supply problems of food and clothing. In this
way, we hope to alleviate poverty.
Development of the economy and intelligence at the same time,
application of science and technology to poverty
alleviation, and raising the competence level of working people and
managers in poverty-stricken regions.
In the implementation of the Spark Programme, the "Food and
Clothing" Project was started in order to strengthen the
technical training of the poverty-stricken population. Its
objective is that each poor household will be able to apply one or
two technologies. In 1995, this type of training was offered to 15
million people, thus broadly disseminating the
applicable farming techniques and technologies, pushing ahead the
"Food and Clothing Project" on alleviating poverty
through science and technology, and improving the practices of
farmers in a continuous fashion. Under the "Food and
Clothing Project", the 1995 grain yield registered an average
increase of 2,385 kg per hectare on the 630,606 hectares of
arable land in the poor regions. This project managed to provide
adequate food and clothing to approximately 10 million
poor people that year.
3. Major Groups: Major Groups, such as Chinese Women's
Organisations, Youth Organisations, Labour Unions, etc.
have played a very important role in alleviating poverty in
China.
4. Finance: In 1995, RMB 9.85 billion yuan from the central
Government and RMB 2.1 billion yuan from local
governments were invested in poverty alleviation. In addition, in
1994 and 1995 the central Government transferred part
of the credit fund originally allocated to six provinces with
faster economic development to the poorest regions in the
southwest and northeast. In 1996, the central Government
appropriated RMB 10.8 billion yuan as a special poverty
alleviation fund.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: Pursuit of
international support
The World Bank has provided a US$ 250 million loan to the first
phase of the "Southwestern China Poverty Alleviation
Project". This project has been fully implemented in 35 key poor
counties in Guizhou, Yunnan, and Guangxi Provinces.
After the completion of the project, 3.5 million people will enjoy
stable food and clothing supplies. The preparatory work
for implementing the second phase of the poverty alleviation
project has almost been completed. The next phase of the
project, once again sponsored by the World Bank, will take place in
the mountainous areas of Shaanxi and Sichuan in
early 1997. Other projects of resource development are being
carried out with support from the UNDP and various other
NGOs. Smooth progress has been recorded in a project for improving
basic education in the poor areas. This project is
being run by the State Education Commission and financed by a US$
320 million loan from the World Bank.
1995 | |||||
Unemployment (%) | 1.8b | 2.5b | 2.3b | 3% | |
Population living in absolute poverty (million person) | 250a | 80 | 65 | ||
Public spending on social sector % | |||||
a 1978 b urban area |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 4: CHANGING CONSUMPTION
PATTERNS
National policy objectives/focus
National targets
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: Chapter 7: Population,
Consumption and Social Services of China's Agenda 21 contains
the
programme area Establishment of Sustainable Consumption Patterns.
Consumption trends in China are not always
appropriate, but, on the whole, consumption by the Chinese people
is still at a low level.
Latest 1995 | |||||
GDP per capita (current US$) | 276 | 326 | 378 | 574a | |
Real GDP growth (%) | 12.1 | 6.7 | 12.8 | 9.7b | |
Annual energy consumption per capita (Kg. of oil equivalent per capita) | 556c | 552 | 583 | 10.6ced | |
Motor vehicles in use per 1000 inhabitants | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.59 | 0.85 | |
a 1989 a 1995 b 1995 c 1989 d 1994
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 5: DEMOGRAPHIC DYNAMICS
AND SUSTAINABILITY
NATIONAL PRIORITY: | |
STATUS REPORT: China's population reached 1.224
billion at the end of 1996 (not including the populations of
Macao, Hong Kong, and Taiwan). This huge population, although
constituting a gigantic manpower supply for
sustainable social and economic development, exerts a heavy
pressure on resources and the environment. China faces its
third baby boom in the 1990s. It is estimated that the population
will grow to 1.3 billion by the year 2000 and to 1.5-1.6
billion by the middle of the next century. Therefore, controlling
population growth and improving the standards of living
are important strategic tasks for China's sustainable
development. Family planning is an important strategic task for realising sustainable development As early as 1982, the Chinese Government put family planning, population control, and improvement in the quality of lifestyle in its basic state policy and included these in the long-term plans for national economic and social development. In the 1990s, especially since the UNCED, the Chinese Government has, based on China's national conditions, constantly improved policies and plans on family planning, adopted integrated approaches for addressing population issues, and made great efforts to reduce the birth rate. Meanwhile, family planning was combined with development, poverty alleviation, educational promotion, women's status elevation, woman and infant medical care, social security development, rational development and utilisation of resources, and harmonious family establishment. The Government also offers guidance and services to families, especially poor families who are willing to follow the family planning programs, in order to develop and improve production, increase income, and improve living standards. Effective control of the rapid population growth In 1996, the national human fertility was 1.698%, a reduction of 0.408% compared with 2.106% in 1990. The natural population growth rate was 1.042%in 1996, a reduction of 0.397% compared with 1.439% in 1990. The total fertility rate of child-bearing age women has dropped to 2. According to data from the United Nations, China's fertility is noticeably lower than the average of other developing countries. General improvement of the people's education level --Complete implementation of 9-year compulsory education The enrolment rate of school age children in China has increased greatly. The 1996 enrolment rate of school-aged children soared to 98.8%, the enrolment rate of middle-school aged children rose to 82.4%, and the percentage of illiterate and semi-illiterate people dropped from 22.27% in 1990 to 16.48% in 1996. --Active development of vocational education In the past ten years, China has seen rapid development in vocational education. By 1996, there were 10.1 million students attending various vocational schools of the high-school level, and there were more middle-school graduates attending vocational schools than high-schools. In recent years, more than 50 million people have received vocational technical training each year. --Moderate development of higher education China has established a complete higher education system for both youths and adults. By 1996, there were over 2,170 institutions of higher education (1,032 for youth, 1,138 for adults) with 5.675 million registered students. This was a 52.2% increase from the 3.729 million students registered in 1990. Gradual establishment of a comprehensive old-age pension system and guarantees of women's rights and interests In order to solve the problems caused by an aging population, the Chinese Government is accelerating establishment of an endowment and medical insurance system for elderly people which is characterised by social provision, support from their children, self-reliance, and mutual supplement. Meanwhile, laws have been formulated and promulgated to foster the social custom of respecting older people. Services of many kinds are rendered to seniors, including the establishment of senior-aid institutions, such as elderly community service networks and apartments for the elderly. The "Law of the People's Republic of China Concerning the Guarantee of the Rights and Interests of Women " has been put into effect so as to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of women in education, employment, social participation, marriage, and family matters. In 1995, the average Chinese urban female adult enjoyed an average of 9.97 years of schooling. Their illiteracy and semi-literacy rate was only 2.07%. Among the women living in rural areas, 8.91% have a high school education, 26.62% have attended middle-school, and 27.91% have only attended primary school. The illiteracy and semi-literacy rate for rural women is 36.58%. |
1. Decision-Making Structure:
Family Planning Commissions were established at different levels
and they associate the major responsibility for
population issues in China.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues:
China has taken an active step to strengthen the capacity of
Chinese people by improving people's education level.
The Comprehensive old-age pension system has also been gradually
established to solve the problems caused by an aging
population.
3. Major Groups:
Chinese Women's Organisations, Youth Organisation, and Labour
Unions have been fully involved in the process of
formulating and implementing population policies.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
Population (Thousands) mid-year estimates | 1,143,330a | 1,185,170a | 1,211,210 | |
Annual rate of increase (1990-1993) | 1.439% | 1.145% | 1.055% | |
Surface area (Km2) | 9,600,600 | 9,600,000 | 9,600,000 | |
Population density (people/Km2) | 119 | 123 | 126 | |
Other data a estimates at the end of the year
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 6: PROTECTING AND PROMOTING
HUMAN HEALTH
NATIONAL PRIORITY: | |
STATUS REPORT: Adequately safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of women and children The Chinese Government pays great attention to the people's rights of reproduction and their reproductive health, and has worked to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of women and children through legislation. Educational activities are carried out throughout the country on such topics as contraception, sterilisation, good bearing and upbringing, and reproductive care. Efforts have been made to improve the quality of reproductive medical services. Demonstrations on offering high-quality family planning service have been performed in some regions so that people of child-bearing age may choose contraception or sterilisation measures on an informed basis and in a responsible manner. By 1996, more than 200 million child-bearing age people had taken contraception measures. The integrated contraception rate among married women is more than 80%.
Improvement in urban residents' health A medical service and family planning network has been developed in China. In 1991, China begun to reform its medical insurance system for urban workers by combining social management with individual accounting. At the same time, a cooperative medical system has been developed. At present, the average life expectancy of Chinese people is 70, the infant mortality has dropped below 3.14%, the pregnant and lying-in women mortality is 0.0619%, and the planned children vaccination rate is 85% (using towns as the statistical unit). All the above statistics serve to illustrate that some major indices of people's sanitation and health of China are advanced in comparison to other countries at a similar economic development level.
|
1. Decision-Making Structure:
The Ministry of Public Health is the governmental agency
responsible for issues related to human health.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
Life expectancy at birth Male Female | 65.5 66.2 | 68.0 70.9 |
| |
Infant mortality (per 1000 live births) | 42 | 32 | 35 | |
Maternal mortality rate (per 100000 live births) | 50a | 95b | ||
Access to safe drinking water (% of population) | ||||
Access to sanitation services (% of population) | ||||
a 1982 b 1980/91
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 7: PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE HUMAN
SETTLEMENT DEVELOPMENT
NATIONAL PRIORITY: | |
STATUS REPORT:
From 1990 to 1996, China accelerated its urbanisation process. In 1990, the size of the urban population was 301.91 million, and it increased to 359.50 million by 1996. The urbanisation ratio rose from 26.41% in 1990 to 29.4% in 1996. Compared with the rapid growth of the industrial production and the urban population, the development of infrastructure lags behind. As a result, environmental pollution and insufficient housing are the two major obstacles to sustainable urban development. In light of this, the Chinese Government has listed urban environment control and human settlement construction as major area for development fields.
Overall urban planning and urban function re-definition By the end of 1996, 666 cities and 17,770 towns had drawn up overall municipal or township plans. These plans incorporated items such as protection and improvement of the urban ecological environment, use of land resources in an economic and rational way, and prevention and control of urban pollution. As stated in these plans, the reconstruction of the old quarters and the development of new districts in the cities must be done in line with the requirements that define the functions of certain city quarters. Also included are designs for adjusting the industrial layout, strengthening the prevention and control of industrial pollution, changing the location of factories adjacent to residential buildings, and controlling the urban environment hazards in both industrial production and living consumption. The aim of these plans is the creation of residential districts with reasonable layouts and a complete range of social services.
Building infrastructure for municipal public services and urban environmental protection In 1996, the national daily municipal water supply capacity increased to 185.168 million cubic metres and the tap water supply rate reached 95% of the urban population. In the same year, the centralised treatment rate of urban sewage was 23.62%, non-hazardous treatment rate of garbage and excrement was 49.06%, the municipal gas supply rose to 73.27% of urban households, a 123,000 km-long urban road network (with 7.58 square metres of road surface per urban inhabitant) was constructed, and forest cover of 24.4% (with 5.8 m2 of forest cover per person) was achieved in city districts. Some cities suffering from water shortages have built water diversion channels to ease their water demand problem. The tap water supply has been extended to 32% of the towns and villages, benefiting 318 million people.
Quantitative examination system for comprehensive urban environmental control Since 1989, the quantitative examination system for comprehensive urban environmental control has been advocated nation-wide by the Chinese Government. The central and provincial governments have performed quantitative checks in over 37 key cities and another 330 cities. By 1996, China had delineated an area of 14,085 square kilometres for smoke control and an area of 2,185 square kilometres for noise control. Several rivers that cut through cities have undergone large-scale overall re-embankment and dredging in order to improve the aquatic environment of the urban areas, e.g. Zhongdong River in Hangzhou, Funan River in Chengdu, Haihe River in Tianjin, Suzhou River in Shanghai, Qinhuai River in Nanjing, and Haohe River in Nantong. On the basis of this examination system, the Chinese Government established a number of model cities for environmental protection, such as Zhangjiagang in Jiangsu Province which became a model city in July of 1996.
Promotion of the national housing project and acceleration of housing construction progress From 1991 to 1995, there was a total investment of RMB 841.67 billion yuan in the municipal and township housing construction of the nation. New housing totalling 1.033 billion square metres of floor space was completed, thus resolving housing shortages for 5 million households. In 1995, the average per capita dwelling area was 7.9 square metres in urban areas and 16.9 square metres in rural areas. Rural housing has increased by 3.07 billion square metres over the last five years. 1995 was also the first year of the new housing project envisaged by the Chinese Government:
|
165 pilot cities received a total of RMB 15 billion yuan in loans from the Chinese Government and RMB 22.5 billion yuan from the local authorities (23.771 million m2 have already been built). China has made gratifying achievements in human settlements development, a fact that has been proven by the granting of the UN "Human Settlements Award" to several Chinese projects: the reconstruction of Tangshan after the earthquake, the building of the new residential quarters in Shenzhen, the rebuilding of the outmoded residential areas at Ju'er (chrysanthemum) Alley in Beijing, and the "Combating Difficulty" Housing Project in Shanghai.
Application of science and technology to housing construction and promotion of the modernisation of the housing industry Starting in 1994, the State Science and Technology Commission, the Ministry of Construction, and other state departments have jointly organised and implemented the "Industrial Project of Science and Technology for 'Well-Off' Urban Housing to the Year 2000". The project is designed to accelerate the modernisation of China's housing construction industry by promoting the transfer and application of achievements in housing technology research, improving the functions and quality of buildings, and bettering the housing environment. In parallel with the overall development of scientific and technological research, a series of comprehensive demonstration projects on "Well-Off" housing have also been established.
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of Construction is the governmental agency responsible for sustainable development of human settlements.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: China has published and enforced the "Law of the People's Republic of China on Municipal Planning", the "Administrative Law of the People's Republic of China Concerning Urban Real Estate", the "Regulations Governing the Developmental Planning for Villages and Towns", the "Regulations on Water Supply in Cities", the "Regulations Governing the Appearance and General Sanitation of Cities", the "Regulations on Afforestation in Urban Areas", and the "Regulations Governing Roads in Urban Areas", so that urban and rural planning, construction, and management systems are regulated by legal mechanisms and the development of urban and rural settlements is ensured. There is a National Research Centre for Building Engineering and Technology. Significant research related to sustainable human settlement have been conducted with the support of the State Science and Technology Commission.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: See Status Report.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: UNDP helped to produce a TV documentary about the achievements in environment and development in Benxi City.
|
Urban population in % of total population | 26.4 | 29.04 | |
Annual rate of growth of urban population (%) | 2.2 | 2.5 | |
Largest city population (in % of total population) | 1.2 | 1.2 | |
Other data |
NATIONAL PRIORITY: | |
STATUS REPORT: In 1992 and 1993 China
developed a National Agenda 21 -- White Paper on China's
Population,
Environment and Development in the 21st Century. China's Agenda 21
was approved by the State Council in March
1994. In 1994, the State Council also issued a directive calling on
government institutions at all levels, to consider China's
Agenda 21 as an overarching strategic guideline for the formulation
of economic and social development plans, and
particularly to integrate it into the Five Year Plan (1996-2000),
plans for the year 2010, and into day-to-day management.
1. Formulation of the national social and economic development plans with the guidance of the concept of sustainable development In order to adequately manage the implementation of China's Agenda 21 at the macro level, the State Planning Commission and the State Science and Technology Commission, by the request of the State Council, gave priority to the incorporation of China's Agenda 21 into state planning. In July of 1994, with the support of the UNDP, the "Research and Training Programme on Incorporation of China's Agenda 21 into the National Economy and Social Development Plan" was undertaken for two years. This programme, taking into consideration the overall development strategy and in view of the Ninth Five-Year Plan and Long-Term Objectives for the Year 2010, puts forth the following counter-measures and suggestions: --Actively promote shifts in the economic development model and make economic efficiency the core of economic activity. Establish a sound production mechanism, by means of reforming the economic structure, in order to utilise resources, reduce energy consumption, and increase production efficiency. Favourable prices, taxation, and preferential loan policies should be adopted in fields that are conducive to society and environment, such as pollution control, clean energy development, utilisation of waste material, and natural resources protection. --Emphasise the importance of science and technology, and re-invigorate the country through science and technology, thus laying a better foundation for sustainable development. Great efforts should be made to integrate rational use of resources with environmental protection, and to develop expertise and products that can economise on resources and minimise pollution. --Establish and improve economic policies, regulations, and financial and taxation systems with the aim of bringing them into line with the sustainable development strategy. Great importance should be attached to research and formulation of measures and action plans concerning sustainable development, to its education, publicity, related personnel training, law enforcement, and supervision . --Protect resources and the environment through economic instruments. Compensatory mechanisms for natural resources exploitation and environment taxation policies should be formulated, so as to strengthen state administration of natural resources and their reasonable allocation, and improve the related utilisation system so that it can better utilise and protect resources. Pricing systems of resources should also be reformed so as to promote sustainable utilisation of resources, and implementation of related policies that are conducive to transforming waste into useful resources. |
--Persist in the coordinated development of the regional economy and environment, and bring regional advantage into full play so as to gradually reduce disparity regional development. Favourable policies conducive to narrowing the regional development gaps should be formulated, and attention should also be paid to promote the development of China's interior and western areas. Models of urbanisation should also be adjusted to suit China's national conditions. --Emphasise sustainable development education so as to enhance public consciousness and promote public participation. Full advantage should be taken of mass media such as radio, TV, and newspapers. In addition, various schools, institutions and universities should be mobilised to spread knowledge about sustainable development, especially among women and children. A national strategy should be developed to establish related mechanisms for public participation and to maximise the role of public participation in sustainable development. --Evaluate economic and social development policies from the perspective of sustainable development. --Integrate the sustainable development strategy into national, local, and enterprise development plans. The sustainable development strategy should be embodied in industrial policies and regional planning. In the "Report on China's National Economy and Social Development", the part of sustainable development was also expanded and amended so as to incorporate China's Agenda 21 into the planning programmes of government authorities at various levels in a phased and comprehensive way.
2. Specific manifestations of sustainable development in the national social and economic development plans Taking China's Agenda 21 as a guiding document in the drafting of the "Ninth Five-Year Plan Long-Term Objectives for the Year 2010", the State Planning Commission, and various departments and bureaus under its jurisdiction, embarked on related research programmes and personnel training. Due consideration was also given to suggestions and plans from related fields and departments.
Concurrently, government authorities under the State Council begun to engage in formulation of various sectoral Agenda 21 and plans of action which were suited to their own area of specific requirement. For example, the Ministry of Forestry formulated the "Forestry Action Plan for China's Agenda 21" which deals with sustainable development in forestry. The State Oceanic Administration drafted "China's Ocean Agenda 21", China's National Environment Protection Agency formulated "China's Agenda 21 for Environmental Protection", the Ministry of Water Resources drafted "China's Agenda 21 on Water Resources", etc. Other government authorities have also formulated programmes of action according to their specific conditions and in line with the country's Ninth Five -Year Plan.
Beijing Municipality, Hubei Province, and Guizhou Province were selected at local levels to integrate, on an experimental basis, China's Agenda 21 into their economic and social development planning. As a result, specific suggestions were made from the perspective of laws, policies, arrangements, finance and operation mechanisms, etc. so that a sustainable development strategy which can be implemented at local levels can be developed.
3.Attaching Importance to Environmental Protection and Promotion of Sustainable Development In July of 1996, the State Council held the Fourth National Conference on Environmental Protection in order to promote the implementation of a sustainable development strategy. Subsequently, the "Decision of the State Council on Issues Related to Environmental Protection" was drafted, and a specific sectoral 5-year national plan for China's environment protection was ratified. |
The objectives of this sectoral 5-year plan concerning environmental protection are: --By the year 2000, establish a relatively complete environmental management and related law systems in line with the socialist market economy. Efforts should be made to bring the trend of increasing environment pollution and deterioration of the ecological environment under control, and to improve the quality of the environment in several cities and regions with grave pollution problems. This will promote the emergence of some model cities and regions that enjoy both rapid economic development and a sound environment. --By the year 2010, further improve the implementation of the strategy of sustainable development. This means that environmental law systems should be well established and the whole country's ecological deterioration should be brought under control, so that a clear improvement of environment quality in urban and rural areas can be achieved.
In order to implement the sections in the "Ninth Five-Year Plan and the Long-Term Objectives for the Year 2010" relating to environment protection, China formulated the "Programme on Controlling the Total Amount of Major Pollutants during the Ninth Five-Year Plan" and "China's Trans-Century Green Project". --"The Programme for Controlling the Total Amount of Main Pollutants during the Ninth Five-Year Plan" states that, in order to meet the environmental goals set in the Ninth Five-Year Plan, strict regulations should be made for control of the total amount of 12 main pollutants. --The "China Trans-Century Green Project" is specifically targeted on areas with critical pollution problems, river basins, and some fundamental environmental problems. Its primary focus is on the water pollution of three rivers (Huaihe River, Haihe River, and Liaohe River), three lakes (Taihu Lake, Dianchi Lake, and Chaohu Lake), and acid rain in southwestern, central, southern, and eastern China, as well as air pollution in 20 key cities. --"The Ninth Five-Year Plan and the Long-Term Objectives for the Year 2010 on Land and Water Conservation" attaches great importance to the land and water conservation projects of the seven largest river valleys. In 33 key areas, land and water conservation projects of national level should be established to halt increasing land erosion, and efforts should be made to preserve an additional 650 thousand square kilometres of land by curbing soil erosion, by the year 2010.
|
1. Decision-Making Structure (please also refer to the fact sheet): A Leading Group co-chaired by a deputy minister of the State Science and Technology Commission and a deputy minister of the State Planning Commission was established in August 1992. The terms of reference for the leading group were to organise and coordinate the formulation and implementation of China's Agenda 21.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: China has established six environmental laws, eight resources management laws, more than thirty administrative regulations, and three hundred and sixty environmental standards. Further laws have been established on education, health, culture and social security. Further improvements and adjustments are considered necessary, e.g. the strengthening of local legislation. By the year 2000, the basis for a system of legislation governing sustainable development should be in place. The Administrative Centre for China's Agenda 21 (ACCA 21) is the bridge between domestic and international partners for the implementation of the Priority Programme for China's Agenda 21. It provides information on sustainable development, consultancy services for projects, training and public awareness material. China's International Training Centre for Sustainable Development (CITCSD) was established in 1993 in order to - provide capacity building, - provide training for administrative personnel, and - promote public awareness.
3. Major Groups: Major Groups, including women, children and the youth, minority nationalities and minority nationality districts, workers and labour unions, science and technology institutes, have been involved in the process of decision-making.
4. Finance:
5. Regional/International Cooperation: International cooperation is encouraged, especially in the area of training. Many international organisations and national governments have expressed interest and support for the implementation of China's Agenda 21 including the following: UNDP, UNIDO, UNEP, FAO, IFAD, the EU, the World Bank, ADB, the US, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Australia, Germany, Sweden, France, and the Netherlands. In 1995, UNDP supported a seminar on sectoral integration of China's Agenda 21. China sent delegations to several countries to exchange experiences on the implementation of sustainable development.
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 9: PROTECTION OF THE
ATMOSPHERE
The Montreal Protocol and the London Amendment were ratified in
1991. The latest report to the Montreal
Protocol Secretariat was prepared in 1996.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was
ratified in 1993.
Additional comments relevant to this chapter
With the rapid expansion of the economic scale and the development
of urbanisation, China is challenged with the serious
task of controlling urban atmospheric pollution. The rapid
development of urban transportation makes vehicle exhaust
emissions the most serious difficult problem concerning urban air
pollution control. Moreover, acid rain and the
production of greenhouse gases and ozone layer-depleting substances
are of great concern to the Chinese Government.
In January of 1993, the Chinese Government approved the "National
Programme of China for Phasing Out of Ozone
Layer-Depleting Substances" and drafted an action plan. Specific
measures for gradually eliminating designated materials
have been taken in 9 industries: air-dissolved rubber, foamed
plastics, household refrigeration, industrial and commercial
refrigeration, Halon fire-fighting, tobacco, and electronic
cleaning. This plan has been carried out in all enterprises.
In 1995, China promulgated the "Law of the People's Republic of
China on the Prevention and Control of Atmospheric
Pollution". Some seriously polluted cities have adopted a permit
system for air-polluting material production and an
experimental charge system for sulphur dioxide exhaust so as to
control smoke and limit the emission of sulphur dioxide.
The country has clearly defined acid rain and sulphur dioxide
control areas and adopted stricter standards for exhaustion of
sulphur dioxide from industrial pits and furnaces. In some
seriously polluted cities of southwestern China (such as
Nanchong, Yibin, Chongqing, and Zunyi), smoke pollution and acid
rain problems have been eased to some degree. In
order to control sulphur dioxide pollution, clean coal and clean
combustion technologies have been introduced.
Newly-built coal mines with high sulphur and lime content are
accompanied by coal washeries. For smoke control,
measures have been made to eliminate smoke, promote boiler
innovation, and encourage central heating, all of which have
proved to be effective. In 1996, the smoke-elimination rate of
waste gas from coal combustion of industry reached 90%
and the purification rate of waste gas from production technology
reached 74.9%.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
Latest 1995 | ||||
CO2 emissions (eq. million tons) | ||||
SOx " | ||||
NOx " | ||||
CH4 " | ||||
Consumption of ozone depleting substances (Tons) | ||||
Expenditure on air pollution abatement in US$ equivalents (million) | ||||
Other data |
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Establishment of climate change monitoring, forecasting, and service system With the cooperative support from the World Meteorology Organisation of the United Nations (UNWMO) and the Global Environment Fund, a World Atmosphere Background Data Observatory was built in Wali Guanshan in 1994. This observatory has filled a gap in China's atmosphere background data observation. It is the first continental data observatory in Asia's heartland and an important component of the global atmosphere background observation network. China has also set up the National Climate Centre which began research and service work in January of 1995. This centre gives monthly, seasonal, and yearly flood forecasts. In order to improve the capabilities of forecasting short-term climate change and assessing the influence of climate change, China is vigorously organising the construction of a systematic engineering system for short-term climate forecast. Research on climate change The Chinese Government is greatly concerned with global climate change and has activity organised research on this topic. With the cooperation of international organisations, some institutes have conducted research on "China's Greenhouse Gas Resources and Reducing Strategy" and "The Climate Change Caused by the Greenhouse Effect and Its Influence on China". During the Ninth Five-Year Plan, China will emphasise the research on the "Assessment of Influence of Climate Change on China's Regional Environment" and "The Influence of Greenhouse Gas Exhaustion on Climate Change and its Counter-Measures".
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: Difficulties have encountered in implementing the Montreal Protocol: diverse competing interests, lack of funding, lack of technology and further economic and technical difficulties. China participates in the Global Ozone Observation Network and plans to establish a network of ozone observation stations. China will participate in international research and scientific and technological cooperation and will seek investment from the international community for projects which assist in the slowing of climate change. The US Department of Energy supports China's country study on climate change. By the end of 1995, 156 projects had been approved by the Executive Committee of the Ozone Preservation Multilateral Fund and 4 of them had been completed. These efforts reduced emissions of controlled material by 6,000 tons (as calculated by the ozone layer-depleting potential value). Three CFC substitution centres in the rubber-dissolving industry have been constructed. This lays a solid foundation for the final achievement of complete substitution. By July of 1996, China had been granted than 170 projects from Montreal Multilateral Fund. These projects have been successfully implemented.
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 10: INTEGRATED APPROACH TO THE
PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
OF LAND RESOURCES
NATIONAL PRIORITY: | |
STATUS REPORT: The per capita usable land
resources of China are very low and will continue to decrease in
quantity
and quality. Due to increasing population, industrialisation, and
urbanisation, the demand for land resources has
increased. A shortage in land resources has become a major
limitation to the sustainable economic and social
development of China.
Establishment of basic farmland reserves Since 1989, basic farmland reserves have been established in China. By the end of 1996, 2,100 counties had finished the work and 65% of the farmland is under effective protection. The problem of farmland misuse has been resolved to a certain degree. Establishment of compensation systems for farmland loss In some areas, experiments have been developed to compensate peasants for valuable farmland lost to non-agricultural purposes. Under the premise of guaranteeing the original quantity and quality of the basic farmland reserves, new farmland with equivalent quality and quantity should be reclaimed to compensate for occupied farmland. In cases without reclamation conditions, a cultivation fee is required according to the regulations. This will result in a better utilization of the total amount of farmland. Strengthening public supervision of land management In 1996, the State Land Administration Bureau engaged, for the first time, a number of inspectors for land management supervision and set up a social supervision system, an important measure towards strengthening the supervision of land law implementation. Great progress in soil and water conservation through legislation In recent years, the Chinese Government promulgated and enforced the "Law of the People's Republic of China on Water and Soil Conservation" and the "Regulations on the Enforcement of Law of the People's Republic of China on Water and Soil Conservation". The "National Programme for Water and Soil Conservation" was also formulated. All of these have encouraged the control of soil and water loss. Twenty-five major soil erosion controlled areas have been established at the national level. Soil and water conservation projects have been carried out in the seven large river basins. The accumulated eroded soil area under control is 67 million hectares. The integrated soil erosion control area in the Loess Plateau is 15 million hectares, putting 30% of the eroded soil area under control to some extent and decreasing the annual discharge of silt to the Yellow River by more than 300 million tons. Significant achievements in comprehensive management of small river basins Farmers have been mobilised to carry out comprehensive management of mountains, rivers, farmland, forests, and roads in the key 10,000 small river basins with serious soil erosion. From 1991 to 1995, 30,000 square km of soil erosion area and 10,000 square km of wind erosion area were brought under control each year. The Government has formulated the encouraging policy of "those who control the area, get the benefit" and carried out family contracting, corporate sharing, leasing, and auctioning of the usage rights of the land, as well as other kinds of control measures. These steps have protected the legitimate rights of farmers and aroused their enthusiasm to harness bare mountains and land. As a result of their efforts farmers have gained profits. Land rehabilitation and augmentation of usable land Since 1988 when the Chinese Government promulgated the "Regulations on Reclamation of Land", great progress has been made in the rehabilitation of abandoned land. According to statistics, 163,300 hectares of abandoned land have been rehabilitated or reused, 75% of which have been used for farmland or other agricultural purposes. In 1995, the State Coal Industry Ministry arranged 10 key demonstration projects such as the project in the area at the conjunction of Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Inner Mongolia which rehabilitates 4,500 hectares of land annually (this being 22.5% of the total subsided area caused by coal mining in that year). Moreover, 1,770 hectares of slag hills were rehabilitated in opencut coal mine areas (amounting to 33% of the total slag hill area created that year). Since the early 1990s, Huaibei City of Anhui Province has made great efforts in the rehabilitation of the subsided land caused by coal mining. The accumulated rehabilitated area was 4,700 hectares, a rehabilitation rate of over 50%.
|
1. Decision-Making Structure: State Land Administration is a governmental agency responsible for overall management of the land use in China.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Establishment and improvement of regulations and relevant systems for land management The following laws and regulations have been issued by the Chinese Government: the "Land Administration Law of the People's Republic of China", the "Regulations on the Implementation of Law on Land Management", the "Regulations on Protection of Basic Farmland", the "Regulations on the Rehabilitation of Land", the "Provisional Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Land Appreciation Tax", the "Administration Measures on Land Use for Construction", etc. Moreover, illegal land use was included in the revised "Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China" (issued in 1997). Land management monitoring and inspection systems have been gradually established and completed, thus bringing land management onto the realm of legal administration.
Enhancement of macro-adjustment and land use control The macro-adjustment and control system has been established with the main contents of the overall plan for land use, the five-year plan for land use, and the annual plan for land use. The Government has set up a primary system of basic land zoning in order to protect farmland and is establishing a management system for land use. It has also drawn up the utilisation and management control system which provides rational regulations on the location and scale of the land for urban and other kinds of construction. In addition to these steps, the Chinese Government has managed construction planning so that construction projects will utilise areas which are not useful for agricultural purposes.
Standardisation and enhancement of the micro-management of land use The construction land management method, which focuses on land scales and allocation of projects, has been established. Examination and approval systems for all kinds of land use have been adopted. The management system, which focuses on the identification of ownership, registration, and granting of certification, has been established for the rural collective land ownership, reclamation, and development.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: The Canadian Government supports the Sustainable Resource Development Project in the Tarim Region.
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 11: COMBATING
DEFORESTATION
NATIONAL PRIORITY: | |
STATUS REPORT: China has very limited forest
resources. At present forests cover an area of 130 million
hectares,
which is only 3-4% of the total forest area of the world. The
national forest cover is less than 14%. The available per
capita forest area is only 0.11 hectares and the total stored bush
is 860 million cubic metres, which is 11.7% and 12.6%
of the world average, respectively. This situation presents major
environmental problems, such as soil erosion and land
desertification as well as the increasing frequency of natural
disasters such as drought, floods, and high winds. All these
environmental problems are closely linked with the shortage of
forest, their unbalanced distribution, and their low
functional utility.
Formulation of strategies for sustainable forest resource development China attaches great importance to the development of forest resources and has drawn up the "Forestry Action Plan for China's Agenda 21", the "Programme Outline of China's Ecological Environment Construction", the "Key Points of the Programme for Comprehensive Development of Forests in Mountain Areas", etc. The Government has put forward a number of general strategic objectives and countermeasures: strengthening breeding, protecting and managing of forest resources, enlarging forest areas, and improving the forest quality. The past five years have seen the planting of large-scale shelter forests, implementation of ecological system projects, and voluntary afforestation activities through the "plant trees everywhere and make the country green" programmes.
Acceleration of the construction of forest ecological systems In order to preserve the environment of fragile ecological areas, China has successfully carried out five ecological forest projects: --The "Three Northern Regions" (northeastern, northwestern, and northern China) shelter forest system project This project started in 1978 and involves 551 counties from 13 provinces. The total area is 4.06 million square km (42.4% of the land territory of China). By 2050, the planned afforestation area will be 30.58 million hectares, of which 18.51 million hectares of afforestation has been completed, thus transforming 1.3 million hectares of sandy land into farmland and pasture, bringing 12% of the deserted land under control, and protecting 11 million hectares of farmland with shelter forests. --The middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River shelter forest project This project relates to 271 counties from 11 provinces. According to the project plan, from 1989 to 2000, there will be an increase of 6.67 million hectares of forests (thus raising the forest cover from 19.9% to about 40%). After 7 years of implementation, 6 million hectares will be afforested. --Coastal shelter forest system This project involves 195 counties from 11 provinces. The planned afforestation area is 3.56 million hectares. By 1996, 2.06 million hectares will be afforested, 11,000 kilometres of primary shelter forest belt will be built (being 90% of the coastal potential afforestation area), and 18,000 km of coastal forest belt will generally been completed. The regional forest cover will be raised from 21.7% in 1987 to the present 29.1%. --The Taihang Mountains Afforestation Project This project involves 110 counties from Beijing, Hebei, Henan, and Shanxi Provinces. It was planned that 3.56 million hectares of forests would be planted by 2050. Since 1993, 1.31 million hectares have been afforested. --Farmland shelter forest projects The combination of "shelter belt, forest network, and forested area" with plain farmland shelter projects focuses on farmland shelter forests and focuses on implementing shelter belts, inter-cropping crops and trees, and planting trees around the farmland (or in tracks) as the main components. At present, the farmland surrounded by forest networks is 34.2 million hectares and 84% of plain counties have met the national afforestation standard. --Other ecological forestry projects In addition to the five major projects mentioned above, in 1995, some new projects were started in the Huaihe River Basin, Taihu Basin, Zhujiang River Basin, Liaohe River Basin, and the middle reaches of the Yellow River. These shelter forest projects involve 609 counties from 16 provinces and the planned afforestation area is 6.6 million hectares.
|
Great progress in integrated forestry development of mountain areas While protecting and making use of forest resources, the Government has made vigorous efforts to develop forest resources in mountain areas and develop forestry and fruit-growing as the backbone industries of the regional economy in order to encourage social and economic development in poverty-stricken areas. For example, in Liuzhou, Guilin, and Hechi Prefectures of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the 18 poor counties from five prefectures of Guizhou Province (which is known as the "Ninety Thousand Mountain" area) through forest resources development, industrial structure adjustment, and developing the backbone industries of forestry and fruits, the forest cover of the area has been raised to 37.61% and the per capita income has been increased by RMB 367 yuan.
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of Forestry is a governmental agency responsible for the issues in this field in China.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Guided by the strategy of promoting afforestation through the application of science and technology, the Chinese Government has promulgated a series of afforestation technology regulations and set up scientific and technological systems, information networks for scientific research, and extended technological supervision, thus promoting the advanced scientific and technological achievements and practical technology to improve the quality of forest planting and breeding. Since 1990, man-made afforestation has covered 24.7 million hectares, plane sowing afforestation has seeded 12.74 million hectares, the afforested area in the enclosed hills and mountains has reached 26.26 million hectares, and the national forest cover has been increased from 12.98% to 13.92%. An significant crease of forest area and storage has been achieved and the trend of long-term decrease in forest storage has been basically reversed. Now there are only a few uncovered afforestable mountains or lands in twelve provinces.
3. Major Groups: Women, Children and Youth, minority nationality districts, workers and Labour Unions, science and technology circles have been deeply involved in the activities of planting trees and combating deforestation.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
|
Forest Area (Km2) | ||||
Protected forest area | ||||
Roundwood production (solid volume of roundwood without bark in mill m3) | 265.3 | 280.0 | ||
Deforestation rate (Km2/annum) | ||||
Reforestation rate (Km2/annum) | ||||
Other data |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 12: MANAGING FRAGILE
ECOSYSTEMS: COMBATING
DESERTIFICATION AND DROUGHT
The International Convention to Combat Desertification in
Countries Experiencing Drought and/or Desertification
Particularly in Africa was ratified on 18 February 1997.
Additional comments relevant to this chapter
The Chinese Government attaches great importance to preventing and
combating desertification, and has formulated and
started implementing her national ten-year Anti-Desertification
Programme before the negotiation of the Convention.
China has included this Programme in China's Agenda 21.
Following the signing of the Convention, the Chinese Government set
up China's Executive Committee on the UN
Convention on the Prevention of Desertification in preparation for
implementation of the Convention, and also established
the nation's Desertification Monitoring Centre to obtain timely
macro-information on desertification in China. The
Executive Committee has organised the formulation of the "National
Action Plan for Combating Desertification", and the
"Law of the People's Republic of China on Combating
Desertification" is now being formulated. With a view to
enhancing the awareness of government personnel at all levels over
the issue of desertification and the Convention, China
has held three High-Level Workshops on the UN Convention on the
Prevention of Desertification during the past two
years.
In combating desertification, China is still faced with great
difficulties because desertification affects a vast amount of land
in a number of different regions of the country. Although the
Chinese Government has allocated financial and material
resources to deal with the problem, the resources still fall far
short of the actual needs. In this connection, China needs
financial and technological support from the international
community, especially from the developed countries, to better
address desertification and achieve sustainable development in
ecologically fragile areas so as to make her contribution to
the global effort at combating desertification and protecting the
ecological environment.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
Land affected by desertification (ha) | 224,700,000 | |||
Other data
|
1. Decision-Making Structure: In 1993, "The Regulations
regarding Law on Water and Soil Conservation in the
People's Republic of China" was put into effect. A comprehensive
system of administrative agencies for water and soil
conservation ranging from the central Government to local
authorities was established.
The Government has established the National Coordination Panel
for Desertification Control and has approved the
inclusion of the desertification control projects in the national
economic and social development plans.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Since 1990, the
Chinese Government has taken a series of steps to control
desertification. It has formulated the "National Planning
Programme for the Control of Desertification in 1991-2000" and
the "National Action Plan for the Control of Desertification of
China". It has also established the Chinese Research and
Development Centre for the Control of Desertification, as well as
several training and monitoring centres. It has
promulgated the "Principle Technology Programme for Monitoring
Desertification". The Chinese Government has also
promulgated the "Comments on Several Policies and Measures for the
Control of Desertification", which gives
preferential low interest loans for desertification control. To
counter different types of desertification, the Government
focused on 20 major counties and established 9 experiment areas and
22 experiment and demonstration bases. From 1991
to 1995, 4.29 million hectares were brought under control, of which
1.22 million hectares were subject to sandy land
enclosure, afforestation, and grass planting. Another 470,000
hectares were subject to sandy land control, cultivation, and
low-yield farmland transformation.
3. Major Groups: Major groups have been involved in the
activities for combating desertification.
4. Finance: In combating desertification, China is still faced
with great difficulties because desertification affects a vast
amount of land in a number of different regions of the country.
Although the Chinese Government has allocated financial
and material resources to deal with the problem, the resources
still fall far short of the actual needs. In this connection,
China needs financial and technological support from the
international community, especially from the developed
countries, to better address desertification and achieve
sustainable development in ecologically fragile areas so as to make
her contribution to the global effort at combating desertification
and protecting the ecological environment.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: The Chinese
Government had sent delegations to participate in all negotiations
on the Convention between 1993 and 1994, and has played a
constructive role during the negotiations process. In October
of 1994, the Chinese Government signed this Convention.
In order to enhance the awareness of government personnel at
all levels concerning desertification, China has held three
High-Level Workshops on the UN Convention on the Prevention of
Desertification during the past two years. Moreover,
in order to strengthen international cooperation in combating
desertification, China, in collaboration with Japan and the
UN Special Coordinator's Office for Africa and the Least Developed
Countries, hosted the Asia-Africa
Anti-Desertification Seminar (1996, Beijing), at which twenty
countries from Asia and Africa exchanged experience in
combating desertification, explored possible activities of
cooperation, and adopted the Asia-Africa Action Framework on
the Prevention of Desertification.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 13: MANAGING FRAGILE
ECOSYSTEMS: SUSTAINABLE MOUNTAIN
DEVELOPMENT
NATIONAL PRIORITY: | |
STATUS REPORT: No information.
|
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 14: PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE
AGRICULTURE AND RURAL
DEVELOPMENT
Promotion of integrated agricultural development and improvement of
food production capacity
--The amelioration of medium- and low-yield fields
Some medium- and low-yield fields have been ameliorated by
improving irrigation and drainage facilities, levelling
farmland, and transforming hillsides into terraced fields. From
1991 to 1995, China ameliorated a total of 8 million
hectares of medium- and low-yield fields. With these improvements,
the unit grain output has increased considerably on
the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain.
--The control of water and soil erosion and improvement of
agricultural production conditions
Through water and soil conservation, 11 million hectares of
farmland have been protected by building terraced fields and
flatlands and by transforming sandy lands into farmlands. In this
way, lands that once suffered water, soil, and mineral
erosion have been turned into farmland of high and steady yield,
and both the land productivity and land utilisation rate
have increased.
--Constant construction of water conservation projects for farmland
By 1995, China's irrigated farmlands increased to 50.41 million
hectares with a 400 billion cubic metre irrigation
capacity. This capacity has facilitated the fighting and
preventing some fire disasters.
--Comprehensive development and control of regional agriculture
The key projects for comprehensive development and control in the
period of 1991-1995 (which focused on the
Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, Song-Nen Plain, Sanjiang Plain, Liaohe River
Delta Plain, Taihu Lake Plain, Jianghan Plain, and
Chengdu Plain) have achieved preliminary success. The "Mountain,
River and Lake Project" of Jiangxi Province focuses
on comprehensive sustainable agricultural development and control
of mountains, rivers, and lakes and is a large drainage
area control project. With the comprehensive planning,
development, and control of over 160,000 square kilometres,
over 2 million farmers have been brought out of poverty. Water and
soil erosion, ecological deterioration, environmental
pollution, and endemic diseases have been effectively controlled.
Clearly, a solid basis for future sustainable development
has been created in the mountain, river, and lake areas.
Progress in ecological agriculture construction
Ecological agriculture is an important approach for China's
achievement of sustainable agriculture. Some Chinese
researchers began to study ecological agriculture as early as the
first half of the 1980s. Relevant government departments
have organised programmes of different scales across the country
for developing, demonstrating, and disseminating such
techniques. Since 1994, the Government has established pilot
projects for ecological agriculture across the country,
including experiments of 50 state-level pilot counties, 100
demonstration areas, 100 provincial-level pilot counties, and
more than 2000 pilot townships and villages. The development of
ecological agriculture has reinforced the foundation for
future agricultural development, reduced the impacts of natural
disaster, and brought ecological, economic, and social
benefits. According to a survey, the pilot units of ecological
agriculture enjoy an average grain output increase of 15%
and a 12% per capita income surplus over the non-pilot areas. For
example, in 1995 alone, within 105 pilot units in
Hubei Province, the farmers' per capita income was 32% higher than
the provincial average.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: The Chinese Government has
consistently paid special attention to the development of
agriculture
and rural areas, and has made substantial headway in ensuring food
self-sufficiency and development of the rural
economy. However, the Chinese Government is well aware of the
great challenges confronting China's agriculture
including the large population, agricultural resources scarcity on
a per capita basis, and outdated agricultural
infrastructure. The development of sustainable agriculture is not
only an important component of China's overall
sustainable development strategy, but also a major task for China
to ensure its food security and social stability.
STATUS REPORT (cont'd)
Acceleration of rural social development --Establishment of a rural social insurance system The central and local governments have increased their input disaster mitigation and prevention efforts. In 1995, the Disaster Relief Fund allocated RMB 2.35 billion yuan to disaster victims. More than 10 million people were safely transported from disaster areas and housed, and 40 million people received disaster mitigation and prevention relief in the form of food, clothing, housing, and medical care. Reform of the disaster mitigation and prevention management system has advanced. The local government accounted for 19.1% of the total expenditure for disaster mitigation and prevention. Societal relief and poverty alleviation were developed in tandem. In 1995, 31.528 million poor people benefited from the relief supplied by the State, and the civil affairs departments assisted 6.963 million families. Within the year, 1.938 million families had escaped poverty, a success rate of 27.8%. The policy of the "Five Guarantees" (guaranteeing food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and funeral services for the elderly, handicapped, orphans, and widows) has been implemented. In 1995, there were a total of 2.415 million "Five Guarantees" people receiving relief from collectives and the money raised for this purpose was RMB 1.86 billion yuan. Great progress has also been registered in rural elderly social insurance. In 1995, this work was carried out in more than 1,600 counties within 28 provinces and municipalities all over China. There were more than 51.428 million people participating in the old-age pension programmes. The network for rural social insurance has been expanded. By the end of 1995, the rural social insurance network had been established in 15,377 townships, accounting for 33% of China's total townships. Over 63.2% of the townships had old-age homes and there were 197,000 disaster mitigation and prevention fund associations with a total accumulated capital of RMB 3.71 billion yuan. -- Improvement of rural sanitary conditions By the end of 1995, the water purification coverage rate reached 86.7%. The total benefiting population was nearly 800 million, and 49.8% of rural residents could use tap water. In 1991, the Chinese Government established a special fund for the construction and reform of township clinics. In the past four years, the total investment for completed projects reached RMB 6.79 billion yuan. By the end of 1996, there were 51,277 township clinics and 806,162 village clinics, which over 89.1% of the total administrated villages of China. -- Accelerating transformation of labour employment Rural employment growth is an important symbol and the embodiment of rural social development. There are two major trends in China's rural employment: the growth of aquaculture and livestock-growing has decreased the number of labourers in agriculture; and the trend of rural labourers going to cities for work has led to an annual increase in employment of 10%. At present, China's employment structure is undergoing major restructuring. The absolute size of the agricultural labour force has clearly decreased. From 1992 to 1994, the number of agricultural labourers decreased by 15.69 million. The total size of non-agricultural employment is approaching that of agricultural employment. The Government has carried out the project of putting the trans-regional flow of rural surplus labour in order. The uncontrolled flow of surplus labour has begun to change. The occupational changes occurring among rural labourers has increased the income of rural families, promoted the development of the rural economy, and resulted in the improvement of people's living standards.
|
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of Agriculture is a governmental agency responsible for agriculture and rural development in China.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Formulation of strategies for sustainable agriculture development and perfection of agricultural policies, laws, and regulations Since 1992, the Chinese Government has, in line with the strategic overview on sustainable agriculture development, drafted and revised a series of agricultural laws and regulations, and successively enacted the "Basic Law on Agriculture of the People's Republic of China", the "Land Administration Law of the People's Republic of China", the "Law of the People's Republic of China on Water and Soil Conservation", the "Law on Popularisation of Agro-Technology", etc. It has also created China's strategy for sustainable agriculture development and set objectives for sustainable development so as to ensure the steady growth of agriculture and the rural economy. In recent years, agricultural production, particularly the production of grains, cotton, and oil-bearing plants, has stabilised since the fluctuating state of the early 1990s. The output of grains and other main products is growing and the rural economy is developing in a steady and healthy way. In 1996, the national grain output reached 490 million tons, 8.9% higher than that of 1990. Capacity building for food transportation security "The National Information System on Grain Storage" and the "Expert Consultation System on Grain Storage" have been established in order to offer consulting services to farmers for safe and scientific grain storage. Key technologies have been developed for streamlining bulk loading, unloading, storage, and transportation of grains, and some demonstrations have been implemented in the World Bank supported grain circulation areas, such as the Northeastern Corridor, Yangtze River corridor, and Southwestern Corridor. The results of these demonstrations show that expenses have been reduced, losses from the circulation process have been reduced, and "virtual farmland" has been created. All of these activities promote agricultural development by science and education, and enhancement of capacity for sustainable rural development Implementation of the "Seed Project" --A system has been instituted for breeding, introducing, processing, selling, and popularising superior varieties of seeds. --Emphasis on the transformation of research achievements into practical applications, development of important technologies for agricultural production, and the popularisation of these research achievements --The main effort is directed towards some major applicable agricultural technologies, including selection of superior breeds, dry-land seedling, sparse growing, toss planting of rice, land-covering, comprehensive prevention and control of diseases and pests, scientific application of fertiliser and water-saving irrigation, etc. On the basis of the traditional intensive and indigenous farming, new technologies - e.g. the use of organic fertiliser to conserve the nutritious elements in the soil - are applied and, as a result, a technological system for sustainable agriculture techniques has been established. Enhancement of vocational technical training A three-tiered network for disseminating agricultural technology in a county-township-village frame has been formed. Support and assistance is given to the private professional technological organisations in various forms. It is in this manner that a service system is taking shape for disseminating agricultural technologies, with mutual support between state, collective, and private technological organisations have provided rational and orderly grain circulation.
3. Major Groups: Major groups play a very important role for sustainable agriculture and rural development.
4. Finance: See Status Report.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No additional information. |
Agricultural land (Km2) | ||||
Agricultural land as % of total land area | ||||
Agricultural land (m2 per capita) | ||||
199_ | ||||
Consumption of fertilizers per (kg/Km2 of agricultural land as of 1990) | ||||
Other data |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 15: CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL
DIVERSITY
NATIONAL PRIORITY: | |
STATUS REPORT:
The Convention on Biological Diversity was ratified in 1993. The latest report was submitted in 1994.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora was ratified in 1981.
Additional comments relevant to this chapter China is a large country with a biodiversity of global significance. For a long time the protection of biodiversity has been facing serious challenges due to the rapid population growth and changes in the biological environment.
Formulation of the Action Plan of Biodiversity and implementation of bilateral and multilateral international cooperation In order to fulfil the UN Convention on Biodiversity, the Chinese Government has formulated "China's Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan" and the "Country Study Report on Biodiversity in China", carried out comprehensive assessments of its biodiversity, indexed endangered animals and plants, and put forward policy suggestions regarding the strengthening of national capacity for biodiversity protection and the sustainable utilisation of biological resources.
Construction of nature reserves China's nature reserves network has been greatly developed. This has effectively protected most of the representative and scientifically valuable ecosystems, and endangered rare species. By the end of 1996, there were 799 nature reserves (including 106 state-owned) which were designed for the conservation of a variety of species. The area of these nature reserves totals 71.85 million hectares, accounting for 7.2% of China's land area. Twelve of these reserves have joined the Man and Biosphere International Protection Zone Network. China has also set up 752 forest parks with a total area of more than 6.6 million hectares. These have become important places for the protection of ecosystems and local species.
Implementation of the "Rescue Project for Endangered Species" The Chinese Government has carried out a series of rescue projects for endangered animals that have led to the restoration of many species. By the end of 1995, China had established 175 animal parks and animal exhibition zones in the parks, and 227 breeding centres for wild animals. The project for the protection of giant pandas and their habitats has been carried out with 28 panda protection zones already established or still under preparation. There are currently a total of 1,000 giant pandas from several different species. The population in each of the species is stable. Nipponia birds were an endangered species world-wide with only 7 in China in 1981 upon their rediscovery. Now, there are more than 60 in China due to the rescue project. The artificial breeding of Yangtze crocodiles has been a success, with a current population of more than 4,000. The population of Hainan deer has increased to more than 500 from the initial 50. In order to rescue and breed endangered or rare plants, China has successively set up more than 400 stations for rare plants protection and breeding, and more than 120 botanical gardens and tree gardens. These measures have protected 1,800 species, enabled 90% of the wild plants under national protection to be moved (and thus protected), and enabled nearly 1,000 rare plants to be protected and bred. The artificial breeding of the Chinese unique cathy fir, metasequoia, and Chinese parasol has been remarkably successful. The Chinese sturgeon has also been well protected in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Seven protection stations, one protection zone, and one rescue centre for the Chinese sturgeon have been established. Every year, over 300,000 young Chinese sturgeons are put into the Yangtze River. This keeps the population of the Chinese sturgeon stable in the Yangtze River.
|
Establishment of genetic resources bases The Chinese Government attaches importance to the collection and protection of agricultural species resources and the genetic resources of domestic fowl and livestock. At present, China has established a preliminary protection system for agricultural species with one state-level long-term seeds storage room and duplication room, 23 local mid-term warehouses, and 25 state-level seed fields. This protection system has stored more than 300,000 agricultural species samples and protected most of the agricultural species resources. A gene base of the herbage species has been established for the domestic fowl and livestock. Priority protection programs have been carried out for some endangered and sharply decreasing domestic fowl and livestock species. An aquatic resources base has also been established. The Department of Fisheries has established 32 natural aquatic species sites, 218 superior species sites, and 1062 sites for breeding fish with a total capacity of breeding more than 200 billion fish from a number of species each year. A total of 379 types of aquatic species has been put on the "List of Species Resources for Protection" and given priority for research and protection.
1. Decision-Making Structure: The National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) is the lead organization for the protection of biodiversity. The Ministry of Forestry, the Ministry of Agriculture, the State Administration of Oceanography and the Ministry of Construction are responsible for providing management in their respective areas. The State Planning Commission and the State Science and Technology Commission also have responsibilities for the conservation of biodiversity. The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress has established a Committee for Environmental and Resource Protection within its framework.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Formulating and promulgating laws and regulations China has successively formulated and promulgated laws and regulations such as the "Forest Law of the People's Republic of China", the "Law of Fishing of the People's Republic of China", the "Wildlife Protection Law of the People's Republic of China", the "Management Regulation of Natural Reserves", the "Regulation of the People's Republic of China Concerning Continental Wild Animals", the "Regulations for the Protection of Aquatic and Wild Animals of the People's Republic of China", the "Regulations on Wild Flora Conservation", the "Regulations on Management of Forest and Wildlife Nature Reserves", the "Provisions Governing Hunting Guns and Bullets of the People's Republic of China", the "List of Key Protected Wildlife of National Importance", and the "National List of Rare and Endangered Plants". The various provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central Government have formulated and issued corresponding local laws and executive regulations. The Environmental Protection Committee (under the National People's Congress) and the State Council have inspected the enforcement of environmental protection in fishery and forestry departments, and strictly prosecuted those offenders who have seriously destroyed the wild fauna and flora resources (such as excessive hunting and smuggling). Strengthening scientific studies and management China has set up management offices and scientific committees for the import and export of endangered species. Management institutions for wild animals and plants, as well as the nature reserves, have been established in 25 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central Government. Research institutions for the study of endangered animals and plants have been set up in northeastern, northwestern, and southern China. In Sichuan, Hunan, Guangdong, and Guangxi Provinces, 19 protection and breeding centres have been established for endangered wild animals and plants such as the Northeast tiger, elk, wild horse, high-nose antelope, nipponia bird, Chinese sturgeon, Yangtze alligator, golden-striped tortoise, etc. Across China, there are over 300 artificial breeding farms for wild animals and plants, one national bird centre, fifty bird stations, and five white-flag dolphin protection stations. |
Establishing the biodiversity information and monitoring systems The Chinese Government has set up several special biodiversity information systems. The Chinese Academy of Sciences alone has established a relatively complete biodiversity information system which includes 5 subject branches, 25 data sources, and more than 30 databases. A species and products resource database system for agriculture has been established by the agricultural departments, including 15 agricultural products, 270,000 seeds samples, and 12,590,000 data entries. The National Environmental Protection Agency has set up a database for nature reserves across the country. An ecosystem and biodiversity study and monitoring network, composed of 78 ecological stations, has been established in China. Compiling the Red Books of Plants and Animals in China based on investigation, research, and scientific results of more than ten years' work China started the compilation of the "Red Book of Plants in China" and the "Red Book of Animals in China". These books will have 8 volumes, 3 of which are already finished. China also published the "List of Ecosystems under Priority Protection", the "List of Animals under Priority Protection", and the "List of Wild Plants under Priority Protection ". Mobilising public participation for biodiversity protection China has disseminated laws and regulations, such as the "Regulations for the Protection of Aquatic and Wild Animals", and popularised the scientific knowledge of wild flora and fauna through various media and activities such as "Bird-Loving Week", "Biodiversity Day", "Publicity Month for the Protection of Wild Animals", public lectures, exhibits, etc. Each year for the past ten years, the organisations for wildlife administration and environmental protection at national and local levels have held quiz games, composition contests, and summer camp activities about wild animal and plants for primary and middle school students. Such special programmes as "Animal World" and "Humans and Nature" on CCTV (China Central Television) have become popular programmes with great influence.
3. Major Groups: Local governments have agencies similar to those in the central Government, which have been established to address local issues in the conservation of biodiversity. NGOs, such as the Chinese Society of Environmental Sciences, the Chinese Ecological Society, the Chinese Society of Forestry, the Chinese Society of Agronomy, the Chinese Society of Oceanography, the Chinese Society of Botany, the Chinese Society of Zoology and the Chinese Association of Wildlife Conservation, play an active role in biodiversity conservation in coordination with the governmental agencies.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: Ten nature reserves have been included in the International Network of Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO. Six nature reserves have been listed in the List of International Important Wetlands. The US-based McCarther Foundation supports the project Forest Resources Management and Biodiversity Protection in the Gaoli Gongshan Natural Reserve.
|
Latest 1995 | |||
Protected area as % of total land area | 7.2% | ||
Latest 199_ | |||
Number of threatened species | 1431 | ||
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 16: ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
MANAGEMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: No information.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: | |
STATUS REPORT: The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea was ratified in 1996.
China has a vast maritime space, a long coastal line, and rich marine resources. At present, the marine industry has become a new area of growth for the coastal regions economic development. According to available information, the total annual output of China's marine industry is over RMB 220 billion yuan. Therefore, China considers rational utilisation of marine resources and the protection of marine environment as inseparable and has taken steps to develop and strengthen marine resource management and marine environmental protection. Formulation of China's Ocean Agenda 21 and its Action Plan Early in 1995, a common understanding on the principal strategy, objectives, and countermeasures of China's maritime work in the 21st Century was reached after several discussions organised by State Oceanic Administration (the government agency responsible for the maritime affairs of China) and attended by local governments in the coastal areas, ministries in charge of foreign exploration and management, and marine research specialists. After more than one year's efforts, the State Oceanic Administration formally released "China's Ocean Agenda 21" in May of 1996 and formulated an Action Plan. These became the guidelines and action framework for the exploration and protection of maritime resources, the improvement of the polluted marine environment, and the implementation of sustainable development. Integrated survey of the country's sea islands and experiments for sea island development In 1989 China began to conduct a survey of sea islands. After eight years, it came to a successful end in 1996 with a primary understanding of the quantity of the country's sea islands and the marine resources on and near these islands, as well as the environmental, social, and economic conditions of the islands and surrounding areas. These steps have laid the foundation for rational exploration and utilisation of China's sea islands. Since 1993, China has approved six sea islands national comprehensive experimental development areas (Changdao Island of Shandong Province, Zhoushan Liuheng Island of Zhejiang Province, Haitan Island of Fujian Province, Changhai Island of Liaoning Province, Nan'ao Island of Guangdong Province, and Weizhou Island of Guangxi Province.) After more than three years of construction, outstanding benefits have been achieved. For example, in the experimental area of Liaoning's Changhai Island, people made great efforts in the development and promotion of seven floating-raft aquaculture projects and seabed sowing technology, including those for shrimp and scallops. The ratio of input to output is 1:3.5. The total annual economic profit of these projects is more than RMB 340 million yuan. Research on key technology of coastal resource utilisation and environment, and establishment of demonstrations on coastal development In order to strengthen the comprehensive management capability of coastal areas, China has listed some key technology research areas in the Ninth Five-Year Plan for intensive scientific and technological attention. They include: "research on key technologies for utilisation of coastal resources and environment", "research on key technologies for comprehensive utilisation of sea water resources", "research on key technologies for oceanic energy generation", and "research on key technologies for membranes". In 1996, China started to implement a program to develop the ocean through application of science and technology, and to promote economic development in coastal areas. Active protection of biological marine resources and continuous construction of marine nature reserves In recent years, the Chinese fishery department has clearly stipulated that fishery fallowing must be carried out in the East China Sea and Yellow Sea in July and August of every year. This has achieved good results in the protection of maritime fishery resources. Since the early 1990s, 25 nature preserves have been set up, covering a total area of 660,000 hectares. Also, a special ocean environment preserve is planned to effectively protect typical ocean ecosystems and endangered species.
|
1. Decision-Making Structure: A mechanism and a legal system for the management and conservation of marine resources has been established. The State Oceanic Administration is the governmental agency responsible for China's ocean policy making and overall management. The State Science and Technology Commission, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Ministry of Agriculture are also major governmental agencies involved in coordination of domestic oceanic affairs.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Improvement of the legal system for protection of marine resources and environment, and establishment of a comprehensive management system On the basis of the existing laws concerning marine environmental protection, China is drafting the "Exclusive Economic Law on the Continental Shelf of the People's Republic of China" and the "Law on Maritime Resource Utilisation Management". China is emphasizing the creation of domestic law consistent with the international maritime laws. It has formulated an oceanic zoning system and national and regional plans for oceanic exploration. It has also created a licensing system for waste discharge into the sea. During the past few years, China has designated 38 areas for waste discharge. Through strengthening law enforcement and monitoring, the Government effectively stopped illegal discharge of wastes into seas. For the control of maritime petroleum exploration, the Government strictly requires that exploring department be furnished with sewage disposal facilities, and emergency and monitoring facilities for oil-spilling to monitor and control pollution from oil spills. In 1993, the Xiamen coastal area was chosen as one of the three demonstration areas for "Maritime Pollution Prevention and Control Project in South Asian Maritime Space" by the UNDP, the Global Environment Facility, and the International Maritime Affairs Organisation. Through research and practice, the control work of Xiamen coastal area has entered into a stage of programming, coordinated management, joint law enforcement, and rational exploration. This has provided examples for the entire country in the management of coastal areas, especially in the prevention of sea pollution.
Establishment and perfection of networks for marine ecological monitoring, marine information, and forecasting and service systems China has set up a national maritime environment monitoring network and made improvements in the national maritime information service system and the maritime environment forecast system. At present, the maritime monitoring force is composed of planes, ships, land stations, and buoys. It is responsible for monitoring and supervising the sea environment. The maritime information system and the maritime forecast system have begun to form. People can get timely information on changes in trends of the maritime environment and the daily forecast is broadcast through the central and local radio, and TV stations. This system also provides warnings to prevent disasters due to sudden storms. China has also set up an information-sharing mechanism with nearly 100 institutions in more than 60 countries. China is actively promoting the implementation of the global ocean monitoring system program and participating in the Northeast Asia Ocean Monitoring System Programme. China also formulated a national Oceanic Eco-Environment Monitoring Network Plan.
3. Major Groups: No additional information.
4. Finance: No additional information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: China is involved in cooperation on international marine legislation, marine living resources in high seas, sea bed mineral resources, marine scientific research, marine environmental protection, polar exploration and peaceful use, and marine affairs cooperation and exchange in the Asia-Pacific Region.
|
Catches of marine species (metric tons) | ||||
Population in coastal areas | ||||
Population served by waste water treatment (% of
country's total population) | ||||
Discharges of oil into coastal waters (metric tons) | ||||
Releases of phosphate into coastal waters (metric tons) | ||||
Releases of nitrate into coastal waters (metric tons) | ||||
Other data
|
Chapter 17 (Oceans) Continued:
Check the boxes in the column below left: | Check the boxes in the column below right: |
For level of importance use: | For level of implementation use: |
*** = very important | *** = fully covered |
** = important | ** = well covered- gaps being addressed |
* = not important | * = poorly covered |
N = not relevant | O = not covered; N = not relevant |
TABLE I. THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED BY THE APPROPRIATE COORDINATING MECHANISM FOR INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF COASTAL AND MARINE AREAS AND THEIR RESOURCES.
a. Preparation and implementation of land and water use and siting policies. | ||
b. Implementation of integrated coastal and marine management and sustainable development plans and programmes at appropriate levels. | ||
c. Preparation of coastal profiles identifying critical areas including eroded zones, physical processes, development patterns, user conflicts and specific priorities for management. | ||
d. Prior environmental impact assessment, systematic observation and follow-up of major projects, including systematic incorporation of results in decision-making. | ||
e. Contingency plans for human induced and natural disasters. | ||
f. Improvement of coastal human settlements, especially in housing, drinking water and treatment and disposal of sewage, solid wastes and industrial effluents. | ||
g. Periodic assessment of the impacts of external factors and phenomena to ensure that the objectives of integrated management and sustainable development of coastal areas and marine environment are met. | ||
h. Conservation and restoration of altered critical habitats. | ||
I. Integration of sectoral programmes on sustainable development for settlements, agriculture, tourism, fishing, ports and industries affecting the coastal areas. | ||
J. Infrastructure adaptation and alternative employment. | ||
K. Human resource development and training. | ||
L. Public education, awareness and information programmes. | ||
M. Promoting environmentally sound technology and sustainable practices. | ||
N. Development and simultaneous implementation of environmental quality criteria. |
TABLE II. TECHNOLOGY (MARINE ENVIRONMENT)
A. Apply preventive, precautionary and anticipatory approaches so as to avoid degradation of the marine environment, as well as to reduce the risk of long-term or irreversible adverse effects upon it. | ||
B. Ensure prior assessment of activities that may have significant adverse impacts upon the marine environment. | ||
C. Integrate protection of the marine environment into relevant general environmental, social and economic development policies. | ||
D. Develop economic incentives, where appropriate, to apply clean technologies and other means consistent with the internalization of environmental costs, such as the polluter pays principle, so as to avoid degradation of the marine environment. | ||
E. Improve the living standards of coastal populations, particularly in developing countries, so as to contribute to reducing the degradation of the coastal and marine environment. | ||
F. Effective monitoring and surveillance within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of fish harvesting and transportation of toxic and other hazardous materials. |
TABLE III. SEWAGE RELATED ISSUES
A. Sewage related problems are considered when formulating or reviewing coastal development plans, including human development plans. | ||
B. Sewage treatment facilities are built in accordance with national policies. | ||
C. Coastal outfalls are located so as to maintain acceptable level of environmental quality and to avoid exposing shell fisheries, water intakes and bathing areas to pathogens. | ||
D. The Government promotes primary treatment of municipal sewage discharged to rivers, estuaries and the sea, or other solutions appropriate to specific sites. | ||
E. The Government supports the establishment and improvement of local, national, subregional and regional, as necessary, regulatory and monitoring programmes to control effluent discharge. Minimum sewage effluent guidelines and water quality criteria are in use. |
TABLE IV. OTHER SOURCES OF MARINE POLLUTION, THE GOVERNMENT HAS:
A. Established or improved upon, as necessary, regulatory and monitoring programmes to control emissions, including recycling technologies. | ||
B. Promoted risk and environmental impact assessments to help ensure an acceptable level of environmental quality. | ||
C. Promoted assessment and cooperation at the regional level, where appropriate, with respect to the input of point source pollutants from the marine environment. | ||
D. Taken steps to eliminate emissions or discharges of organohalogen compounds from the marine environment. | ||
E. Taken steps to eliminate/reduce emissions or discharges or other synthetic organic compounds from the marine environment. | ||
F. Promoted controls over anthropogenic inputs of nitrogen and phosphorous that enter coastal waters where such problems as eutrophication threaten the marine environment or its resources. | ||
G. Taken steps to develop and implement environmentally sound land-use techniques and practices to reduce run-off to water courses and estuaries which would cause pollution or degradation of the marine environment. | ||
H. Promoted the use of environmentally less harmful pesticides and fertilizers and alternative methods for pest control, and considered the prohibition of those found to be environmentally unsound. | ||
I. Adopted new initiatives at national, subregional and regional levels for controlling the input of non-point source pollutants which require broad changes in sewage and waste management, agricultural practices, mining, construction and transportation. | ||
J. Taken steps to control and prevent coastal erosion and siltation due to anthropogenic factors related to, inter alia, land-use and construction techniques and practices. |
TABLE V. ADDRESSING CRITICAL UNCERTAINTIES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE. IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THIS PROGRAMME AREA THE GOVERNMENT IS CARRYING OUT THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES:
A. Coordinating national and regional observation programmes for coastal and near-shore phenomena related to climate change and for research parameters essential for marine and coastal management in all regions. | ||
B. Providing improved forecasts of marine conditions for the safety of inhabitants of coastal areas and for the efficiency of marine operations. | ||
C. Adopting special measures to cope with and adapt to potential climate change and sea-level rise. | ||
D. Participating in coastal vulnerability assessment, modelling and response strategies particularly for priority areas, such as small islands and low-lying and critical coastal areas. | ||
E. Identifying ongoing and planned programmes of systematic observation of the marine environment, with a view to integrating activities and establishing priorities to address critical uncertainties for oceans and all seas. | ||
F. Research to determine the marine biological effects of increased levels of ultraviolet rays due to the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer. | ||
G. Carrying out analysis, assessments and systematic observation of the role of oceans as a carbon sink. |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 18: PROTECTION OF THE
QUALITY AND SUPPLY OF FRESHWATER RESOURCES:
APPLICATION OF INTEGRATED APPROACHES TO THE DEVELOPMENT,
MANAGEMENT AND USE OF WATER RESOURCES
Significant achievements in the management and development of major
rivers and lakes
During the past five years, the Chinese Government has strengthened
the integrated development and management of
major rivers and lakes. The main objective of this programme is to
prevent flooding disasters by heightening and
reinforcing major dams, building flood-division areas, and
realigning river courses in major rivers and lakes such as the
middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the lower reaches of
the Yellow River, Huaihe River, Haihe River,
Songhuajiang River, Liaohe River, and Taihu Lake. A group of
important large-scale water conservation projects have
been developed to allow more effective control and bring
comprehensive benefits. In order to solve the problem of water
shortages in northern China, the Chinese Government has vigorously
organised the planning and construction of
trans-basin water-transferring projects, conducted a scientific
feasibility study of transferring water from the south to the
north in the central, eastern, and western parts of China, and made
preliminary preparations for the project.
Increased water pollution control in major river basins
In order to bring water pollution under effective control and
protect the aquatic environment, beginning in 1994 the
Chinese Government carried out the "Three Rivers and Three Lakes"
water pollution control project (Huaihe River, Haihe
River, Liaohe River, Taihu Lake, Dianchi Lake, and Chaohu Lake).
In 1995, the "Interim Regulations on the Protection
against Water Pollution in the Huaihe River Basin" was issued and
the "Programme and Ninth Five-Year Plan of Water
Pollution Control in the Huaihe Basin" was formulated by the
Government. It also defined the targets for controlling the
total amount of water pollutants discharged into river basins, as
well as the maximum permissible discharge amount for
major cities, towns, and discharge points. Meanwhile, a deadline
was set for closure or production changes in those
small-sized paper mills whose production capacity was less than
5,000 tons in the Huaihe Basin. By June 30th of 1996,
1,111 small paper mills in four provinces along the Huaihe River
had been closed, reducing COD discharge by 346, 000
tons, and achieving the objective of a 15% reduction in pollutants
for that year.
Progress in agricultural water-conserving technology and
demonstration project construction
The Chinese Government has organised the compilation of the "China
Water-Conserving Development Programme for
Irrigation Agriculture", drawn up the technology standards suitable
for national conditions for various water-conserving
irrigation projects, and formulated the plan for the construction
of large-scale water-conserving irrigation demonstrations
at the national level. At present, the total area covered by
water-conserving irrigation has reached 13.33 million hectares.
Some practical water-conserving technologies have been developed
and these are being used in the technical preparations
for the establishment of 300 demonstration counties for
water-conserving irrigation projects during the Ninth Five-Year
Plan.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: In China, freshwater resources
are inadequate and unevenly distributed. China's per capita water
resources is only one-fourth of the world average. With the growth
of the population and economic development, serious
water shortages have appeared not only in the arid and semi-arid
areas, but also in many cities of northern China. This
has become a limitation to economic development. Moreover, all the
river basins of the country have been polluted to
various degrees, resulting in a further decrease of water resources
utility. Therefore, it is important to implement
sustainable development in order to rationally use and protect
water resources.
Promotion of drinking water projects in poor rural areas
In order to solve the drinking water problems of some poor rural
areas, the Chinese Government carried out a drinking
water project for those areas in 1990. Since 1991, 145,000
drinking water projects have been built, 470,000 drinking
water wells have been dug, 199,000 water-collecting facilities have
been established, and 174 million rural people have
had the problem of inadequate drinking water resolved. With the
cooperation of UNICEF, the Government has carried
out the Trinity project (water, environmental hygiene, and health
education) and achieved preliminary progress.
Moreover, the Government has spread low-cost water supply measures
and sanitary toilets, and disseminated health
knowledge to farmers. With the implementation of the "Sweet Dew
Project", more than 4 million people in Shaanxi
Province and 3.8 million herdsmen in Inner Mongolia Autonomous
Region have achieved adequate drinking water
supplies during the past 3 years. A series of drinking water
projects have also been carried out in Xinjiang, Gansu, and
some other western provinces. All these have eased, to some
degree, the difficulties of peasants in water-short areas.
Projects for water resource development in western China
The Chinese Government has greatly promoted the western water
resource development plan and carried out a number of
utilisation projects that focus on the central and western regions.
These projects include the Xinjiang Wuluwati Reservoir
project, Tibet Manla Reservoir project, Guizhou Wangerhe Reservoir
project, Qinghai Heiquan Reservoir project,
Ningxia Fuyanghuang irrigation project, Gansu Changma Reservoir
project, etc. These projects will play a very
important role in promoting the social and economic development in
central and western China, changing the poor and
backward situation, improving the eco-environment, and
strengthening national solidarity.
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of Water Resources is the Chinese governmental agency responsible for overall water resources planning and management, major hydro infrastructures, for example, large hydropower generation. The Ministry of Construction is responsible for urban waste water treatment investment, whereas the National Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for waste water legislation and discharge compliance monitoring. However the State Council has its special committee in coordination with water cross sectoral issues to determine its major policy and action, for example during 1996 and 2000, waste water control is focused on three large rivers and three main lakes in China. This committee is chaired by the State Councillor, Mr Son Jian, Chairperson of the State Science and Technology Commission. The State Planning Commission contributes an important role in the major water projects decided in every 5-year national planning, in which the overall budget is approved.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: In order to implement China's Agenda 21 in the area of water conservation, the Chinese Government has formulated "China's Water Conservation Agenda 21" and the "National Plan for Medium- and Long-Term Water Supply and Demand". This agenda has put forward the general objectives for water resource protection and sustainable utilisation. The objectives are: to implement the policy of rational exploration, utilisation, and comprehensive conservation of water; to strengthen the management of river basins and lakes; to improve the management and control of water pollution; and to vigorously maintain and improve the natural utility of water resources and the ecological environment of basins. In the Ninth Five Year Plan (1996-2000), the water issue is placed at its importance above all other threatening factors. The main tasks include flood control, irrigation efficiency, hydro power station, drinking water improving in dry regions. In fighting with waste water, China has set up its focus on three large rivers: Huaihe, Haihe and Liaohe, and three main lakes: Taihu, Chaohu and Dianchi as the targets for clear up the water in a limited time period. Small production capacity industry is now met with very restricted regulation to either meet discharge compliance within a limited time or shut down. Developing and introducing suitable waste water treatment technologies and establishing integrated water resources management system are placed in China at high priority in dealing with water challenges.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: UNDP and several national governments are providing support to a development and conservation project for the Yellow River delta and to the Integrated Development and Management Project of the Mountain-River-Lake Region of Jiangxi Province.
|
Fresh water availability (total domestic/external in million m3) | 300,000 | |||
Annual withdrawal of freshwater as % of available water | ||||
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 19: ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
MANAGEMENT OF TOXIC CHEMICALS, INCLUDING
PREVENTION OF ILLEGAL INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC IN TOXIC AND DANGEROUS
PRODUCTS
Solid waste registration and experiments on waste exchange
In order to identify the variety, characteristics, quantity, and
pollution situation of solid waste (especially the hazardous
types), find out major sources of pollution, and to promote waste
utilisation and disposal, China has conducted
experiments of solid waste registration in 17 cities, including
Nantong, Jinan, Shenyang, and Shanghai since 1992. In
terms of waste registration, the Government has begun to carry out
a permit and manifest system for the centralised
utilisation and disposal of wastes. In April of 1993, the National
Environmental Protection Agency promulgated the
"Implementation Programme of Experiments on Waste Exchange", which
defines the waste exchange's basis, type,
treatment process, procedure, experiment requirement, etc. Three
years of experimental work has laid a solid foundation
for waste exchange.
Construction of facilities for urban hazardous waste disposal
In order to safely dispose of hazardous wastes, China has built a
standard waste disposal plant in Shenzhen City. Regional
centralised waste burning and burying plants are also being built
in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. These
plants have improved the cities' environment.
Control of hazardous wastes import
In order to control the import of hazardous wastes, in 1991 China
promulgated the "Circular on the Strict Control of
Transfer of Hazardous Waste into China". After several experiences
with hazardous waste import, China promulgated in
November of 1995 the "Urgent Circular on Resolute and Strict
Control of Transfer of Foreign Waste into China". Also,
in March of 1996, the Government promulgated the "Provisional
Regulations on Waste Import and Environmental
Protection". China is resolutely prosecuting those discovered to
have imported hazardous waste. The Government also
urged the countries concerned to observe the "Basel Convention on
the Control of Trans-Boundary Transfer, Disposal,
and Treatment of Hazardous Waste" and has instructed the
enterprises concerned to return the waste to the donor country
and make compensations for relevant loss.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: As a result of its extensive
production pattern, China's industrial solid waste output is about
644
million tons each year, of which 2.4% is considered hazardous
(poisonous, reactive, corrosive, explosive, or flammable)
waste. Urban domestic trash production amounts to 100 million
tons. Therefore, it has become an important task to
reduce the amount of solid wastes and render them harmless.
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of the Chemical
Industry is the responsible national level agency dealing
with toxic chemicals overall policy and management. The National
Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for
legislation of all kinds of solid waste environmental compliance
and monitoring, and as well for prevention of illegal
international traffic in hazardous wastes, including toxic
chemicals. In case of a cross sectoral issue regarding toxic
chemicals causing heavy impact to the environmental, like the case
of chromic slag pollution, a joint action will be taken
from chemical industry, local environmental protection agency and
local government to cope with the pollution disaster.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: In October of 1995,
China promulgated the "Law of the People's Republic of
China on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by
Solid Waste". This law has brought the control of
solid waste (especially hazardous waste) into the legal structure.
Since 1992, China has promoted waste minimisation in
the industrial departments. Efforts have been made to conserve
resources, reduce consumption, recycle, and make
comprehensive use of wastes. Meanwhile, a series of solid waste
storage and disposal facilities have been built. These
efforts remarkably reduced the amount of industrial waste from
33.76 million tons in 1991 to 22.42 million tons in 1995.
Also, the amount of waste poured directly into rivers, lakes, and
seas each year has dropped from 11.81 million tons in
1991 to 6.49 million tons in 1995.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 20: ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
MANAGEMENT OF HAZARDOUS WASTES,
INCLUDING PREVENTION OF ILLEGAL INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC IN HAZARDOUS
WASTES
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of
Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal was
ratified in 1991.
Additional comments relevant to this chapter
Please refer also to the information provided under chapter
19.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: The National Environmental
Protection Agency is the Chinese governmental agency
responsible for the legislation of Solid Waste Act which comprises
the management of hazardous and dangerous wastes
disposal. The National Environmental Protection Agency is also
responsible for environmental impact assessment
concerning projects that generate hazardous products. Environmental
inspection for the safe disposal of hazardous waste is
a joint effort between NEPA and other relevant ministries.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: China is currently
in a pilot phase, introducing legislation of solid waste
disposal, landfill and incineration facilities. Due to its large
cost, advanced technologies for burial or burning the waste
may not be suitable for dissemination until the future. A joint
cooperation to develop out suitable technologies based on
cost-effective analysis for safe disposal of solid waste is
strongly recommended by local governments in China. In some
pilot localities, such as Hangzhou and Shengzheng cities, low cost
landfills are now under construction.
3. Major Groups: Other than government, the Chinese
Research Academy for Environmental Sciences is the national
level research body for the technical solution of waste disposal
problems. In each province, there are research institutes
responsible for developing or adopting safe solid waste methods and
technologies.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: In this area, active
cooperation with international companies has been carried
out. More such cooperation is expected to introduce or jointly
develop suitable technologies for China.
Generation of hazardous waste (t) | 15.456 million | |||
Import of hazardous wastes (t) | ||||
Export of hazardous wastes (t) | ||||
Area of land contaminated by hazardous waste (km2) | ||||
Expenditure on hazardous waste treatment (US$) | ||||
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 21: ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
MANAGEMENT OF SOLID WASTES AND SEWAGE-RELATED ISSUES
Please refer also to the information provided under chapter
19.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: Please refer also to the
information provided under chapter 19.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: The mechanization
level for waste collection and treatment is low. Equipment
is obsolete and not suitable for the task. The scientific and
technological level of waste treatment and disposal is in urgent
need of improvement.
3. Major Groups: Please refer also to the information
provided under chapter 19.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
1980 | 1990 | |||
Generation of industrial and municipal waste (t) | 7.44 mil.a | |||
Waste disposed(Kg/capita) | ||||
Expenditure on waste collection and treatment (US$) | ||||
Waste recycling rates (%) | ||||
Municipal waste disposal (Kg/capita) | ||||
Waste reduction rates per unit of GDP (t/year) | ||||
Other data a annual average
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 22: SAFE AND
ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: In 1992, the Chinese Government
promulgated "China's Environmental Policy on the Disposal of
Middle- and Low-Level Radioactive Waste". Examination of the
operation of the Qinshan and Daya Bay Nuclear Power
Plants has shown that the land gamma radiation levels around the
plants and the radioactive elements in soil, water,
air-dissolved rubber, sediment, and biological samples are all
within the data scope. A model plant is under construction
for the disposal of radioactive wastes from the Daya Bay Nuclear
Power Plant.
1. Decision-Making Structure: The State Bureau of Nuclear
Safety is the Chinese governmental agency responsible for
safe management and disposal of radioactive wastes. Under China's
governmental structure, the State Bureau of Nuclear
Safety is affiliated with the State Science and Technology
Commission of China.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
| |
Ch. 24: GLOBAL ACTION FOR WOMEN TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE AND
EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women was signed on 17 July 1980 and ratified on 4 November 1980.
24.a Increasing the proportion of women decision makers.
No information.
24.b assessing, reviewing, revising and implementing curricula and other educational material with a view to promoting dissemination of gender-relevant knowledge.
Curricula and educational material already promote gender relevant knowledge.
24.c and 24.d formulating and implementing policies, guidelines, strategies and plans for achievement of equality in all aspects of society including issuing a strategy by year 2000 to eliminate obstacles to full participation of women in sustainable development. Policies/strategies etc. have been drawn up and completed.
24.e establishing mechanisms by 1995 to assess implementation and impact of development and environment policies and programmes on women. These mechanisms are in place.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): The All China Women's Federation has been involved in the process of formulation and implementation of China's Agenda 21 and its associated priority programmes. In Benxi City a Women's Sustainable Development Centre was set up that disseminates knowledge to rural women and helps urban women to start a new careers. The participation of women in sustainable development is addressed in chapter 20 of China's Agenda 21. Chinese women have taken an active part in the adoption of sustainable practices with concrete results and Chinese women's organizations have also made substantial contributions to protecting the environment.
|
| |
Ch. 25: CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT. 25.a establishing processes that promote dialogue between the youth and government at all levels and mechanisms that permit youth access to information and opportunity to present their views on implementing A21. Name relevant youth fora (3-4 most important): 1. 2. 3. 4.
Describe their role in the national process: Children and youth fully participate in the national process.
25.b reducing youth unemployment Urban youth unemployment has increased from 2.988 million in 1992 to 3.102 million in 1995.
25.c ensuring that by year 2000 more than 50% of youth -- gender balanced -- have access to appropriate secondary education or vocational training.
The goal set in Agenda 21 has been reached.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): Chapter 20 of China's Agenda 21 identifies targets and activities in order to promote the participation of children and youth in sustainable development. An Outline of China's Development Program for Children in the 1990s has been promulgated. Children and Youth have been involved in the process of formulation and implementation of the sustainable development strategy in China.
|
| |
Ch. 26: RECOGNIZING AND STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND THEIR
COMMUNITIES.
26.a establishing a process to empower indigenous people and their communities -- through policies and legal instruments:
No information.
26.b strengthening arrangements for active participation in national policies
No information.
26.c involving indigenous people in resource management strategies and programmes at the national and local level.
No information.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page):
No information.
| |
Ch. 27: STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS: PARTNERS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. 27.a developing mechanisms that allow NGOs to play their partnership role responsibly and effectively. 27.b reviewing formal procedures and mechanisms to involve NGOs in decision making and implementation. 27.c promoting and allowing NGOs to participate in the conception, establishment and evaluation of official mechanisms to review Agenda 21 implementation.
Mechanisms exist already and NGO inputs are important.
27.d establishing a mutually productive dialogue by 1995 at the national level between NGOs and governments.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page):
No further information.
|
| |
Ch. 28: LOCAL AUTHORITIES' INITIATIVES IN SUPPORT OF
AGENDA 21.
28.a encouraging local authorities to implement and monitor programmes that aim to ensure participation of women and youth in local decision making. The Government supports local agenda 21 initiatives and there are at least 21 local Agendas 21. Women and youth fully participate in local decision-making.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): China is a vast country and there are great disparities between the eastern, central, and western parts of the country in terms of natural conditions, economic development, and urbanisation. In view of this, it is essential for China to formulate different action plans for sustainable development which are suited to the local situations and conditions. By the end of 1996, two-third of the 30 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities had organised their respective Leading Groups and established working offices to implement their Local Agenda 21. Some provinces have formulated their own Local Agenda 21s and action plans. Some cities have also initiated their Local Agenda 21 works.
| |
Ch. 29: STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF WORKERS AND
THEIR TRADE UNIONS. 29.a full participation of workers in implementation and evaluation of A21. 29.b (By year 2000, (a) promoting ratification of ILO conventions; (b) establishing bipartite and tripartite mechanism on safety, health and sustainable development; (c) increasing number of environmental collective agreements; (d) reducing occupational accidents and injuries; (e) increasing workers' education and training efforts.
Workers take full part in National Agenda 21 discussion and implementation.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): Chapter 20 of China's Agenda 21 identifies targets and activities in order to promote the participation of workers and labour unions in sustainable development. The trade unions of China have the largest membership in the world, with more than 600,000 grassroots organizations and over 100 million members.
|
| |
30: STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY. 30.a increasing the efficiency of resource use, including reuse, recycling, and reduction of waste per unit of economic output. There are governmental policies encouraging the above objective.
30.b encouraging the concept of stewardship in management and use of natural resources by entrepreneurs.
List any actions taken in this area: In 1994, the "Technical and Financial Enhancement" Programme was initiated by the Chinese Government. The aim of this programme is to enhance technical reform investment, accelerate enterprise reform, and set up technical progress mechanisms. In two separate steps more than 3,000 projects within the "Technical and Financial Enhancement" Programme have been arranged, with a total investment of RMB 290 billion yuan. Energy conservation and reduction, comprehensive utilisation of resources, and environmental protection are three of the key priority areas within this programme. There are over 232 projects in the above areas and the total input is RMB 30 billion yuan.
30.c increasing number of enterprises that subscribe to and implement sustainable development policies.
Several big enterprises and a few small and medium sized enterprises have adopted sustainable development policies.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page):
No further information.
|
| |
Ch. 31: SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL
COMMUNITY. 31.a improving exchange of knowledge and concerns between s&t community and the general public. The scientific community has already established ways in which to address the general public and deal with sustainable development.
31.b developing, improving and promoting international acceptance of codes of practice and guidelines related to science and technology and its role in reconciling environment and development.
Brief comments on this chapter not already described in chapter 35 (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): Chinese scientists and technologists have taken an active part in implementing sustainable development. The Chinese Science and Technology Society has more than 10,000 branches at the provincial and prefectural levels, about 50,000 township offices, and 2,000 community groups. The people in this circle are all working diligently and conscientiously to gear their endeavours to economic construction and social progress, propagate advanced technologies where applicable to the local conditions, advocate civilised, healthy and scientific ways of living, eliminate feudal superstitions and ignorance, and promote the concept of sustainable development.
| |
Ch. 32: STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF
FARMERS. 32.a promoting and encouraging sustainable farming practices and technologies.
32.b developing a policy framework that provides incentives and motivation among farmers for sustainable and efficient farming practices.
32.c enhancing participation of organizations of farmers in design and implementation of sustainable development policies.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): Farmers are the main agents of land control and, at the same time, the main beneficiaries of investment in land quality. In the water and soil control projects from 1991 to 1996, farmers provided 70% of the total input and completed work on the prevention of soil erosion in 211,300 square kilometres. Farmer participation is essential for the cost reduction of the country's environmental control projects. Their input enables the Central Government to work on many projects with limited investment. Chinese farmers have developed many new methods in their practice of enhancing the agricultural ecological environment, such as "eco-farming" and "comprehensive control of small drainage areas". In addition, they have been actively studying and practising the application of new technologies in their efforts towards sustainable development. This is illustrated by the fact that over 30 million person-hours have been spent by farmers attending training courses on various applied technologies. The flourishing of township and village enterprises is another major contribution of the Chinese farmers towards the national industrialisation. This sector provides 120 million non-farming job opportunities in the rural areas and has created substantial wealth. These enterprises constitute a strong pillar of China's rural economy, an important part of the national economy, and the majority of the medium- and small-sized enterprises.
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 33: FINANCIAL RESOURCES
AND MECHANISMS
Financial resources and mechanisms are also covered under each
sectoral chapter of Agenda 21 where
relevant. This summary highlights broader national financial
policies, domestic and external
(including ODA)
No information.
CHANGES IN NATIONAL BUDGET TO ADDRESS SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT:
NEW ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS:
ELIMINATION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY UNFRIENDLY SUBSIDIES:
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
ODA policy issues
China is a recipient country.
|
ODA funding provided or received (Total US$million) | ||||||
Net flow of external capital from all sources as % of GDP | ||||||
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 34: TRANSFER OF
ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND TECHNOLOGY, COOPERATION AND
CAPACITY-BUILDING
Transfer of environmentally sound technology, cooperation and
capacity-building is also covered under each sectoral
chapter of Agenda 21 where relevant. This summary highlights
broader national policies and actions relating to chapter
34.
MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION: The Administrative Centre for
China's Agenda 21 is responsible for exchange of
information on all issues related to sustainable development.
The China's Sustainable Development Networking Programme will play
an important role in information exchange and
sharing.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT ON LINKS BETWEEN NATIONAL, REGIONAL
AND INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION
NETWORKS/SYSTEMS: A sustainable development networking
programme has been developed in order to improve
access to information, and a Local Area Network with
interconnection to the internet is being completed. Further
development of these networks is planned. The project of
Establishment of China's Environmentally Sound Technology
Transfer Centre is also underway with the support of the Asian
Development Bank. The objective of the centre is to
enhance the capacity of China in exchange and acquisition of EST
information and in the assessment, introduction,
development and application of appropriate ESTs, in order to foster
EST transfer, to reduce industrial pollution, and to
realise sustainable industrial development.
Describe any work being undertaken at the national or
local level regarding efforts to promote clean production
processes and/or the concepts of eco-efficiency. These processes
may include training, preferential financial
arrangements, information dissemination and changes in legal or
regulatory frameworks.
No information.
Provide information on the adoption of environmental management systems. National reaction to environmental management system standards such as the ISO 14000 Series and others. Please note efforts made at the national level to promote their adoption and the creation of certification infrastructure in order to facilitate access to these standards to local industry.
No information.
List and describe programs or work under way to facilitate the transfer of ESTs to small and medium sized enterprises. Please note efforts to facilitate access to financial resources and other transfer strategies.
No information.
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 35: SCIENCE FOR SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
NATIONAL PRIORITY: | |
STATUS REPORT ON NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE,
RESEARCH NEEDS AND PRIORITIES:
China is in the transition period from a highly resource-consuming, low-efficiency, and heavily polluting economic development pattern to a resource-saving, high-efficiency, and less polluting economic development pattern. Therefore, all kinds of sciences and technologies which can promote the transformation of the economic development pattern are given priorities since there is still a shortage of these kinds of sciences and technologies in China.
STEPS TAKEN TO ENHANCE SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING, IMPROVE LONG TERM SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT, BUILDING OF CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY:
Revitalizing China through science and education has served as a major strategy in China.
|
Year | |||
Number of scientists, engineers and technicians engaged in research and experimental development | #19.134a million | 1995 | |
Total expenditure for research and experimental development (US$eq.) | $9.265 billion | 1995 | |
Other data a in State-owned organisations
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 36: PROMOTING EDUCATION,
PUBLIC AWARENESS AND TRAINING
NATIONAL PRIORITY: | |
STATUS REPORT: Reorientation of education towards sustainable development The Chinese Government attaches great importance to education on sustainable development. Under its auspices, several universities have set up new faculties, departments or colleges of environment protection, and preparations are also being made for the establishment of other academic organisations (such as research centres, societies, and research institutes) which specialise in the research of sustainable development. Moreover, environment sections have been added to textbooks for primary and middle schools, with the aim of enhancing the young people's environmental awareness. Increasing public awareness The Chinese media has greatly supported training and education for sustainable development. The People's Daily, CCTV, and the Central People's Radio have given broad coverage and introductions to the concept of sustainability and Agenda 21. Beijing TV produced "China's Agenda 21 Is Not A Dream" (a 30-episode series) and "Sustainable Development: A New Start for China". These programs offer a systematic introduction to China's Agenda 21 and the concept of sustainable development. The Central People's Broadcasting Station aired the series "The Road of China's Sustainable Development". Recent years have witnessed extensive coverage of environmental protection activities by the media, massive publication of books and periodicals on sustainable development by publishing agencies, and numerous important meetings on sustainability by the Government at all levels. To increase public awareness of natural resources, the environmental situation, recycling, and solid and hazardous waste treatment, the State Economic and Trade Commission, the Environment and Resources Committee of the National People's Congress, and the Publicity Department of CPC's Central Committee co-organised a publicity campaign on the topics of sustainable utilisation of natural resources, promotion of the transformation of economic development growth model from extensive to intensive, and promotion of sustainable development. This activity is of great concern to the entire nation. All of the news agencies were mobilised to promote this campaign and thus increase public awareness on these topics. This campaign will be continuously conducted during the Ninth Five-Year Plan period. Additionally, during the Eighth Five-Year Plan, the State Economic and Trade Commission, the State Planning Commission, the State Science and Technology Commission, and other ministries conducted week-long campaigns on the topic of energy conservation across the whole country every October. The Ministry of Natural Resources organises relevant sectors to hold the World Water Day and China's Water Week every year. Promoting training Since the UNCED, and particularly after the publication of China's Agenda 21, the Chinese Government, at all levels, has organised numerous training courses in various forms. These were intended to change the out-dated traditional development concepts of the decision-makers and the management of development, and to enrich their understandings of sustainable development. By the end of 1996 these sustainable development training courses had been conducted in over half of the provinces. Six training workshops were devoted to the implementation of China's Agenda 21 into its social and economic development plans with support of UNDP and UNIDO.
ROLE OF MAJOR GROUPS: Chinese women's organizations at different levels play a very important role on the promotion of women's education level in China. Many kinds of training courses and programmes on practical technologies and illiteracy-elimination have been conducted by them. The China Youth Fund launched and implemented the "Hope Project" which was designed to mobilise the entire society to help the young dropout in the poverty-stricken regions. The Labour Unions give full support to on-the-job training for employees of enterprises.
FINANCING AND COST EVALUATION OF THE LABOUR ACTIVITIES:
|
Adult literacy rate (%) Male | ||||
Adult literacy rate (%) Female | ||||
% of primary school children reaching grade 5 (1986-97) | 93.9%a | 97.8%a | 98.5%a | |
Mean number of years of schooling | ||||
% of GNP spent on education | ||||
Females per 100 males in secondary school | ||||
Women per 100 men in the labour force | ||||
Other data a Rate of School-aged Children Enrolment
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 37: NATIONAL MECHANISMS
AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION FOR CAPACITY-BUILDING IN DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES
National capacity building is also covered under sectoral
chapters.
Donors: You may wish to describe here how Agenda 21 has
influenced your ODA policies in this area.
Developing countries: You may wish to describe any new
national mechanisms for capacity building - and any changes
in technical cooperation.
China is establishing a sustainable economic and social development
system and corresponding environmental and
sustainable resources base as an overall objective, in order to
bring about economic prosperity, social progress, and
ecological security. The main elements of the nation's strategic
concept are:
--to actively promote the shift in economic structure and in the
mode of economic development, and to constantly improve
the quality of development while maintaining economic growth;
--to carry out a strategy of re-invigorating the country by relying
on science and technology, and by integrating science,
education, and the economy;
--to promote moral ethical development and to strengthen democracy
and legal systems, thereby encouraging overall social
progress and establishing a social basis for the nation's
sustainable development;
--to control population growth and constantly improve the
populations competence level;
--to adopt policies that give equal attention to the utilisation
and the protection of natural resources;
--to rely on law enforcement in protecting and utilising the
nation's natural resources, including land, freshwater, the seas,
forests, grassland, biological resources, mineral resources,
etc.;
--to enhance efforts implementing the "Help the Poor" programmes
with a view to basically eliminate the nation's poverty
by the end of the century; and
--to establish, step by step, the nation's policy and legal systems
for sustainable development, as well as decision-making
and management co-ordination mechanisms that promote sustainable
development.
The UNDP-sponsored Capacity 21 Programme has played a catalyst role
in promoting sustainable development in China.
After the UNCED in 1992, China-UNDP cooperation has been very
successful in the area of capacity building for
sustainable development. China has formulated and implemented
China's Agenda 21 with the support of UNDP. The
first goal of the Capacity 21 project executed by the Chinese
Government was to formulate and implement China's
Agenda 21. The UNDP Capacity 21 Programme has given us a lot of
help in the formulation of China's Agenda 21 and
the Priority Programme for China's Agenda 21 along with the
organization of the First High-Level Round Table
Conference on China's Agenda 21. The second goal was to conduct
training and research on capacity building for
integrating China's Agenda 21 into economic and social development
plans. The Chinese Government and UNDP also
signed the CSDNP (China's Sustainable Development Networking
Project) funded by UNDP on October 1995. In 1997,
Capacity 21 Programme will continue to support China in the area of
capacity building for local Agenda 21s.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT ON NATIONAL ENDOGENOUS CAPACITY
BUILDING:
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 38: INTERNATIONAL
INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
Ch. 38: Brief summary of any particular UN System
response affecting this country/state:
No information.
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 39: INTERNATIONAL LEGAL
INSTRUMENTS AND MECHANISMS
Ch. 39: International Legal Instruments are covered
under the relevant sectoral chapters. This is a listing of major
agreements/conventions (not already covered) entered into and
relevant to Agenda 21:
No information.
|
2. | International cooperation and trade | |||||
3. | Combating poverty | |||||
4. | Changing consumption patterns | |||||
5. | Demographic dynamics and sustainability | |||||
6. | Human health | |||||
7. | Human settlements | |||||
8. | Integrating E & D in decision-making | |||||
9. | Protection of the atmosphere | |||||
10. | Integrated planning and management of land resources | |||||
11. | Combating deforestation | |||||
12. | Combating desertification and drought | |||||
13. | Sustainable mountain development | |||||
14. | Sustainable agriculture and rural development | |||||
15. | Conservation of biological diversity | |||||
16. | Biotechnology | |||||
17. | Oceans, seas, coastal areas and their living resources | |||||
18. | Freshwater resources | |||||
19. | Toxic chemicals | |||||
20. | Hazardous wastes | |||||
21. | Solid wastes | |||||
22. | Radioactive wastes | |||||
24. | Women in sustainable development | |||||
25. | Children and youth | |||||
26. | Indigenous people | |||||
27. | Non-governmental organizations | |||||
28. | Local authorities | |||||
29. | Workers and trade unions | |||||
30. | Business and industry | |||||
31. | Scientific and technological community | |||||
32. | Farmers | |||||
33. | Financial resources and mechanisms | |||||
34. | Technology, cooperation and capacity-building | |||||
35. | Science for sustainable development | |||||
36. | Education, public awareness and training | |||||
37. | International cooperation for capacity-building | |||||
38. | International institutional arrangements | |||||
39. | International legal instruments | |||||
40. | Information for decision-making |
Various government agencies and different localities have established information centres and the State has set up a broad-based information centre. These provide a foundation for the development of an information system for sustainable development. The need for improvements of communication technologies is expressed in Chapter 12: Sustainable Development of Industry, Transportation and Communication in China's Agenda 21. The present capacity in telecommunication is inadequate. Delays in the transfer of information hinders social and economic sustainable development.
|
Latest 1995 | ||||
Number of telephones in use per 100 inhabitants | 0.91 | 2.2 | 4.8 | |
Other data
|
Copyright © United Nations
Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Comments and suggestions: esa@un.org
Last updated 1 November 1997