INTRODUCTION

2.1 Sustainable development is a strategic choice that must be made by both developing and developed countries. For a developing country like China, however, the precondition for sustainable development is development. The path of relatively rapid economic growth and gradual improvements in the quality of development must be taken in order to meet the Chinese people's current and future needs for basic necessities and their desires for higher living standards, and in order to consolidate the nation's strength. Only when the economic growth rate reaches and is sustained at a certain level, can poverty be eradicated, people's livelihoods improved and the necessary forces and conditions for supporting sustainable development be provided. While the economy is undergoing rapid development, it will be necessary to ensure rational utilization of natural resources and protection of the environment. And while it is necessary for China to embark on a gradual path to sustainable development, it must do this at the same time as it is improving economic conditions and structures, enhancing their effectiveness and maintaining an annual average GNP growth rate of between 8 and 9%. Specific objectives for national economic and development by the year 2000 presented in the Ten-Year Plan are as follows:

(a) A steady increase in food and cotton production will be kept as priorities, with an expected grain yield of 500 million tonnes by the year 2000. At the same time, the development of forestry, animal husbandry and aquaculture will be encouraged;

(b) The output of raw coal should reach 1.4 billion tonnes and electrical generating capacity should be increased to 1.3 billion megawatt hours (MWH), with special efforts being made to enhance hydro-power generation and to develop heat recovery thermal plants and nuclear power plants. Efforts should be made to conserve energy at an annual average saving rate in excess of 3%;

(c) An integrated transportation system of roads, railways, water and air transport should be established. The volume of goods transported by railway should reach 2.1 billion tonnes and the handling capacity of coastal ports should reach more than 1.1 billion tonnes. A convenient and accessible telecommunications network will be put in place, focusing first on the automation of long distance calling and the expansion of telephone availability;

(d) Steel output is to reach 120 million tonnes and chemical fertilizer output is to reach 120 million tonnes, with ethylene production expanding to approximately 4 million tonnes. There should be an overall improvement in the quality of products;

(e) Improving technical and management levels will raise the value of contributions made by science and technology to China's economic growth from the current 30% to 50%.

2.2 China's sustainable development strategies will emphasize the social aspects of the sustainable development. To this end, family planning should be implemented, population should be strictly controlled and its quality and composition improved. By the year 2000, efforts will be made to contain population growth rate at 1.25 per cent per annum or below. A fair and reasonable distribution system will be established, based on the principle of "to each according to his or her work" and taking into account both efficiency and fairness. At the same time, appropriate consumption will be encouraged. The social sciences will be developed. The ideological and cultural heritage of the Chinese nation will be valued, while cultural innovations will be encouraged. Full use of socialist advantages will be made and the political and social environment will be constantly improved, while peace, stability and unity of the whole nation will be preserved. Educational and cultural activities will be developed, professional training will be instituted, and professional ethics and social morality will be improved. The ideological, moral, scientific and cultural levels of the entire nation will be raised. New generations will be nurtured to be cultured, have high ideals, good morals and a sense of discipline. Urban housing will be built and living conditions in both urban and rural areas will be improved through the development of comprehensive social services and medical care. A heightened awareness of sustainable development will be fostered through broadly based public education to mobilize the active participation of all people in achieving sustainable development. Particular attention will be paid to educating officials at all levels to improve their ability to promote sustainable development.

2.3 China's sustainable development will be based upon the sustainable utilization of resources and preserving a healthy environment. The country is obliged to shoulder the following obligations: protect all life supporting systems; protect the integrity of ecological systems and biodiversity; address major ecological issues such as soil erosion and desertification; protect natural resources; maintain sustainable supply capabilities; reduce damage to fragile ecological systems; extend forest coverage; improve urban and rural environmental conditions; prevent and control environmental damage and pollution; reclaim and restore damaged and polluted environments; take an active part in international cooperation in the fields of environmental and ecological protection. By the year 2000, environmental pollution should basically be brought under control and the quality of the environment in major cities should have been improved. The degradation of natural ecological systems will be reduced and protection of resources and the environment will be coordinated with economic and social development. By the year 2000, the following targets should be achieved:

(a) The volume of industrial waste water discharge should be limited to 30 billion tonnes, with a discharge treatment rate of 84%. The treatment rate for urban sewage should reach 20%;

(b) Sulphur dioxide emissions should be restricted to between 21 and 23 million tonnes; the rate of treatment for industrial waste gases should reach 90%; gasification should reach 60% of urban areas; 0.47 billion square metres of buildings should be centrally heated;

(c) The integrated utilization of industrial solid wastes should reach 45-50%;

(d) The ambient noise level around major roads should be maintained at 1990 levels, while the environmental noise compliance rate in urban areas should be increased by 15 to 20% over 1990 levels;

(e) In terms of the protection and development of forest resources, there should be an intensification of efforts in afforestation, with the area of afforested land increasing to 19 million hectares and national forest coverage increasing to 15-16% of total land mass during the period of 1991-2000;

(f) In order to prevent and control the spread of desertification and to enhance water and soil conservation, an area of 20 to 40 thousand hectares of affected land will be brought under control annually;

(g) Efforts will be made to protect arable land resources and to limit the amount of arable land used for construction. By the year 2000, arable land shall be not less than 122 million hectares, and 3.3 million hectares of land should be brought into cultivation during the period of 1991-2000;

(h) Throughout the country, an area of 100 million hectares will be devoted to nature reserves, approximately 7% of total territory. Attention will also be paid to the protection of natural ecological systems.

2.4 The major policies which will ensure the realization of the above-mentioned targets must include:

(a) Focusing on economic development and deepening the reforms and openness to expedite the development of the socialist market economic system;

(b) Strengthening the foundation for building capacity for sustainable development, in particular, by establishing a policy framework for developing social and economic norms for sustainable development, by establishing a system of laws and regulations promoting sustainable development, and by outlining strategic objectives for sustainable development. It will be necessary to establish a comprehensive natural resources and environment monitoring and management system, and to develop planning, statistics and information support systems for social and economic development. It will also be necessary to develop education, raise awareness of sustainable development issues throughout the country and develop domestic capabilities for implementing sustainable development practices;

(c) Implementing family planning, improving the competence levels amongst the population, controlling population growth and improving the population structure;

(d) Gradually popularizing sustainable agricultural techniques, while giving consideration to local situations;

(e) Developing cleaner coal burning technologies and actively developing renewable and cleaner energy sources;

(f) Adjusting the structure and distribution of industries, advocating the rational utilization of resources and reducing pressures resulting from the development of enterprises on the transportation network;

(g) Vigorously promoting cleaner production technologies; working hard to minimize the production of wastes and to encourage recycling, resource and energy saving and increased efficiency of production;

(h) Promoting the development of comfortable housing and improving the living standards of urban and rural residents;

(i) Arranging for the development and popularization of important environmental pollution control techniques and equipment;

(j) Emphasizing the protection of water resources and the treatment of waste water, emphasizing the protection of vegetative resources; encouraging the rational utilization of biological resources so as to support the protection of species and the improvement of regional ecological and environmental quality, working hard to improve land productivity and to reduce the impact of natural disasters.

2.5 It is necessary to change the old and unsustainable development patterns currently being used in China. China's Agenda 21 is a strategic framework for long-term, integrated, steady sustainable development. It is a good starting point for China as it moves towards the 21st century and strives for a better future. The implementation of China's Agenda 21 requires the unified leadership of the Chinese Government working in coordination with various sectors and regions. It is necessary to formulate and put into effect laws, regulations and policies relating to sustainable development. Significant actions must be taken in certain areas or for certain Programs, especially during the period of transition to a socialist market economy. It is particularly necessary that the macro-regulating role of the government for population growth, protection of natural resources and the environment should be strengthened and that comprehensive decision-making, management and monitoring systems be introduced. It is essential to have the untiring participation of the whole nation in this work. Extensive support and cooperation from the international community are also necessary.

2.6 The overall objectives and major initiatives identified in this chapter are closely related to other chapters. They are designed to provide a guide to other chapters. The specific objectives and actions proposed in chapters that follow are derived from these overall objectives and major initiatives.

2.7 Two Program areas are identified in this chapter:

Program AREAS

A. Sustainable Development Strategies and Major Initiatives

Basis for action

2.8 China is a country with a large population and a poor infrastructure. Only by maintaining a relatively rapid economic growth rate can poverty be eradicated, people's livelihood be improved, and long-lasting peace and stability be achieved. Only by enhancing overall national strength, which is based on economic, scientific and technological capabilities, can the country have the conditions for and be more able to develop its society and culture, to manage its environment, and to ensure the realization of objectives for sustainable development and the implementation of major initiatives.

2.9 China, being the largest developing country in the world, is fully aware of its responsibilities and the important role is has in protecting the global environment. In the spirit of being responsible for present and future generations, and overcoming such difficulties as insufficient funds and a relatively low technological level, China has made unswerving efforts in safeguarding an ecological equilibria, protecting the environment, eradicating poverty, improving people's livelihoods and controlling population growth. Since the 1980s, the Chinese Government has had family planning and environmental protection as basic state policies and has gradually incorporated these policies into national economic and social development plans. As a result, a series of policies and measures appropriate to China's situation now exist.

2.10 China is a developing country with a population of more than 1.1 billion people. Considering this enormous population base, and the difficulties involved in and relatively long time required for altering attitudes to ensure that there be only sustainable increases in the population, China will be confronted with great pressures and sharp conflicts between economic development, population, resources and environmental considerations. In addition, China is also threatened by global environmental problems.

2.11 China is in an historical stage of rapid economic growth. Because of its poor economic base, its low level of technological capabilities, its excessive consumption of resources, its serious pollution and weakened environment, many problems are interwoven and affect each other. China's fundamental social and economic features and its resource and environmental constraints make it clear that if the rational use of resources and protection of the environment are not considered in planning for overall economic development, economic growth will be difficult to sustain, and it will be difficult to build the conditions for sustainable development for future generations.

2.12 China's current development strategies, policies, plans and management mechanisms can barely meet the requirements of sustainable development. It will be necessary to incorporate the concept of sustainable development when devising overall development strategies, objectives and major initiatives, so as to realize the coordinated development of population, economy, society and the environment.

Objectives

2.13 To establish economic and social systems conducive to sustainable development and to establish the mechanisms whereby these systems can be adapted to meet the evolving requirements for the sustainable use of resources and the environment. The main objectives by the year 2000 are:

(a) While maintaining rapid economic growth, to rely on scientific and technological advances and improvements in the quality of labour to continually improve the quality of development;

(b) To promote the overall development and progress of the society and to establish the social basis for sustainable development;

(c) To control environmental pollution, improve the environment and protect the resource base for sustainable development;

(d) To gradually establish policies and legal systems which support sustainable national development and to establish integrated decision-making, coordination and management systems which promote sustainable development.

Activities

2.14 Review and assess current administrative policies, laws and regulations. Formulate laws and policies which emphasize the relationship between the economy, society and the environment, and thereby favour sustainable development. With policy guidance and good management, encourage coordinated economic, social and environmental development based on laws and regulations.

2.15 Reform the old system and establish integrated decision-making mechanisms tailored to sustainable development. Adjust the functions of existing ministries and agencies, and encourage consultation and cooperation amongst ministries and agencies. Establish coordinated management and feedback mechanisms so as to coordinate actions taken by different ministries or agencies. As necessary, new organizations will be established to ensure smooth achievement of the strategic goal of sustainable development.

2.16 In establishing the socialist market economic system, the following economic measures should be utilized to protect resources and the environment and to ensure the sustainable utilization of resources:

(a) In accord with the principle of compensating for the use of natural resources, gradually levying fees for the use of resources and, after conducting studies of environmental taxation, gradually introducing environmental taxes;

(b) Investigating then implementing a system for integrating consideration of natural resources and the environment into the National Economic Accounting System, so that relevant statistical indicators and market prices will reflect more accurately the changes in natural resources and the environment brought about by economic activities;

(c) Formulating standards for the control of pollutant discharges by various enterprises and industries; gradually raising fees for the discharge of pollutants; encouraging enterprises to bring their discharge of pollutants in line with national and local standards;

(d) Having incentives such as preferential taxes, credit and prices for those involved in socially beneficial undertakings in the areas such as the control of environmental pollution, the development of cleaner energy, the comprehensive utilization of wastes and the protection of nature;

(e) Reforming the pricing system for resources to encourage their economical use and ensure the maximal use.

2.17 Improve legal and management systems so that there is a legal and administrative framework for encouraging sustainable development:

(a) Establish a legal system for sustainable development, which is aligned with international laws;

(b) In the process of reforming the infrastructure and the economic system, include responsibility for protecting natural resources and the environment into the functions of the governments at all levels;

(c) Establish scientifically-sound environmental protection laws and standards; strictly implement the laws; introduce effective management systems and measures; gradually move emission controls from control of concentrations to total volume control and "end-of-pipe" control to control of the whole process; formulate environmental protection plans and monitor their implementation; reinforce the environmental statistics and monitoring system, by establishing a nationwide environmental information network from which data on environmental quality and pollution can be retrieved in an accurate and timely manner; strengthen environmental protection organizations, organize professional training and improve the skills of decision-makers; expand educational activities in the field of environmental protection and popularize environmental scientific knowledge, so as to raise people's understanding of environmental issues.

2.18 Identify national priority areas and associated Programs for sustainable development, which emphasize building the infrastructure for sustainable development:

(a) Develop education and wide vocational training;

(b) Develop science and technology, vigorously promote their extension and application;

(c) Improve energy efficiency and the sources of energy production by developing clean coal burning technology and equipment, and new renewable energy sources;

(d) Improve the environment by establishing sustainable agricultural and forestry systems;

(e) Establish resource saving industries, which use cleaner production technologies, and actively develop the transportation, telecommunications and other basic industries;

(f) Promote the sustainable development of society and improve people's living standards;

(g) Protect and utilize natural resources in a rational manner and encourage the use of renewable resources;

(h) Prevent environmental pollution and damage;

(i) Establish and improve legislation, policies, management and decision-making support systems for sustainable development.

For discussion of sustainable development areas based on scientific and technological advances, please refer to other relevant chapters, especially Chapter 6, "Education and Capacity Building for Sustainable Development", Program area D.

2.19 Promote cleaner technology and cleaner production methods and develop environmental protection industries:

(a) Develop and introduce efficient water and energy saving technologies, which have low consumption of resources and produce little or no wastes; select, evaluate and popularize environmentally-sound technological skills and improve the technological levels for pollution control and ecological restoration; attach importance to the study of major environmental problems and global environmental issues;

(b) In the process of restructuring industry, include the development of the environmental protection industry as a national priority; establish appropriate production and processing sequencing in the environmental protection industry and ensure a rational balance in production; develop and promote the use of advanced and practical environmental protection equipment; promote the production of "green products" and establish product quality control standards to improve the quality of products which protect the environment; establish demonstration projects and sites for pollution control and environmental protection.

2.20 Generate and apply information on natural resources. Establish an information system which will provide social and economic data as well as resource and environmental data. Conduct assessments for sustainable development. Promote scientifically-based decision-making and the development and spread of scientific and technological endeavours. Give free rein to science and technology to allow them their primary roles in improving productivity.

2.21 Harmonize the relationship between humans and nature, especially in the fields of family planning, environmental protection and the rational utilization of resources and energy. Introduce and popularize important scientific findings.

2.22 Reaffirm the national strategic significance of China's Agenda 21 and gradually integrate it into national economic and social development plans at all levels, and actively promote its implementation of China's Agenda 21 and its associated Priority Programs.

B. International Cooperation for Sustainable Development

Basis for action

2.23 Sustainable development is a matter of international common concern. Given this situation, coordinated actions transcending cultural and ideological differences are needed. It is common knowledge that global environmental problems and the poverty, which hinders sustainable development, result from a long-term unevenness in economic and technological development and from trade imbalances between north and south. Addressing these issues and promoting sustainable development must be linked with global issues such as poverty, the environment, the world economy and trade. The Chinese Government has, on various occasions, clearly expressed its basic positions and positive attitudes on these issues. International cooperation for sustainable development is an important component of China's reform and opening policy, and will be effective in promoting the success of this policy.

2.24 Economic development and environmental protection are important components of the new world order and should consider the following:

(a) All countries have an equal right to participate in international activities concerning environmental protection and development;

(b) All countries have the right to determine their own economic development and environment protection strategies based on their own conditions. All countries have permanent sovereignty over their own natural resources and biological species;

(c) Interests of countries with different natural conditions and at different levels of development should be taken into consideration and the requirements of the developing countries, where most of the world's population lives, should be reflected in international environmental legislation;

(d) There must be clarification regarding the history and realities of current environmental degradation, so that responsibilities can be determined on an equitable and differentiating basis. Developed countries must assume greater responsibility for and obligations in the international quest for sustainable development;

(e) Developing nations should intensify their own environmental protection efforts. At the same time, the international community should provide them with the necessary financial and technical assistance, thereby enhancing, in fundamental ways, the ability of developing countries to participate in global environmental and developmental cooperative efforts.

2.25 As a member of the international community and a country with the largest population in the world, China is fully aware of its obligations for protecting the global environment. In the course of its development, China has become increasingly aware of threats to various resources and of environmental problems arising from its own economic development and from the deterioration of the global environment. Because of this, the Chinese Government, with a strong sense of historical responsibility, attaches great importance to the protection of natural resources and the environment. It will join in international efforts for the protection of the global environment and for sustainable development for the survival of humankind in an active, sincere and responsible manner.

Objectives

2.26 Working in the spirit of "global partnership", participate in wide-ranging international cooperation in the fields of environmental protection and development. Promote the sustainable development of developing countries, including China, through the international efforts.

2.27 Vigorously implement the conventions concerning the global environment and development to which China is a signatory. Untiringly meet the obligations it has undertaken.

2.28 Work to attract international financial and technical assistance so that China will be able to eradicate poverty as early as possible and embark on the path of sustainable development.

Activities

2.29 While following more open policies, attract the participation of international organizations and individuals in the implementation of China's Agenda 21 and its associated Priority Programs and in the major initiatives for sustainable development in China.

2.30 Continue with international cooperation in relevant areas and play a positive and active role in the activities of the United Nations' Commission for Sustainable Development.

2.31 Strengthen international cooperation in the fields of economics, science, technology, and technology transfer and work for the preferential and non-commercial provision of cleaner production and other environmentally sound technologies. At the same time, make China's advanced applicable technologies and experience known to the international community, especially to developing countries.

2.32 Through international consultation and dialogue, identify effective international cooperative mechanisms to guarantee existing development assistance funding. At the same time, seek out new, additional funding to allow China and other developing countries to effectively participate in international activities to protect the global environment and to compensate them for economic losses brought about by taking on obligations for the global environment.

2.33 Encourage the international community to establish an international trade regime that is fair, stable, non-discriminatory, predictable and takes into account the interests of developing nations, including China. Eliminate trade protectionism to enable world trade to develop on the basis of complementarity, which will benefit all countries and in particular developing countries, while complying with environmental requirements. Help developing countries to improve their economic structures and, through sustainable, rapid and healthy development, to raise their people's living standards.

2.34 Take an active part in global environmental protection activities and broaden interaction and cooperation with the international community, especially with respect to the following: control of emissions of greenhouse gases; development of substitutes for ozone depleting substances; development and utilization of replaceable technologies; the prevention of pollution by toxic chemicals and wastes and their trans-boundary movements; the protection of both the marine environment and biological diversity.

2.35 Strengthen the exchange of developmental and environmental information with the international community. Assimilate advanced international experience and improve the legal, policy and management systems in China.