INTRODUCTION

6.1 China's capacity for sustainable development, an essential guarantee for the successful implementation of China's Agenda 21, is determined to a large extent by the capabilities of its government and people, as well as its ecological and geographical conditions. Specifically, capacity building is based on the interaction of national planning, decision-making, administration, the environment, resources, and scientific, technological and human resources.

6.2 The Government of China has formulated strategic guidelines based on China's actual conditions, whereby economic development, urban and rural construction and environmental protection are being planned for and developed contemporaneously, so as to maximize economic, social and environmental benefits. It is implementing the three major environmental policies of stressing prevention, of "polluter pays" and of intensified management of the environment. In addition, work has been done to strengthen the legal system and to promote the widespread management of land resources. Efforts have been made to make primary and middle school education compulsory so as to raise educational levels. Efforts have also been made to publicize environmental protection so as to raise awareness of environmental protection and to promote scientific and technological research. In addition, much attention has been given to the family planning policy, which is helping to reduce the enormous pressures on the environment caused by population growth and economic development. These undertakings are laying a solid foundation for China's capacity building for sustainable development.

6.3 This chapter, which is linked with all other chapters, is composed of six program areas:

PROGRAM AREAS

A. Improvement of Management System for Sustainable Development

Basis for action

6.4 Currently, the State Planning Commission and the State Science and Technology Commission, which are led by the State Council, are charged with responsibility for the management of China's sustainable development, that is, for the implementation and administration of China's Agenda 21. Other governmental agencies and departments are responsible for various aspects of the work.

6.5 The realization of sustainable development requires an extremely effective management system, in which capacity building for decision-making and for management are crucial. The management of sustainable development requires the comprehensive use of planning, administrative techniques, and legal and economic measures. It requires well-trained decision-makers and managerial personnel. It requires the use of advance management techniques and the establishment and improvement of organizational institutions, so as to form a cohesive management system. At present, a lot of work has been done in these areas, but there is still much work to be done.

6.6 It should be pointed out that the implementation of other program areas found in this chapter will contribute to the successful realization of objectives contained in this program area.

Objectives

6.7 Develop a fairly complete management system for sustainable development by the end of this century. This will mean that governments at all levels will have the expertise for decision-making, coordination and management for sustainable development and will have an enhanced capacity for servicing sustainable development.

Activities

6.8 Gradually set up coordination and management mechanisms which will promote sustainable development:

(a) The state will organize regular or special meetings for regional or departmental leaders to discuss overall and response strategies for China's sustainable development, to check the progress in the implementation of various strategies and to put forward proposals for solving new problems arising during the implementation process. At each governmental level, that is, the provincial (autonomous region and municipality), prefectural (city) and the county, activities similar to those at the national level are also to be carried out;

(b) Organize the study, formulation and implementation of regional development plans, which will then be subject to periodical review and revision as appropriate.

6.10 Establish sustainable development research institutions and organizations nation-wide and make full use of existing management research institutions to conduct in-depth and systematic multi-disciplinary studies on sustainable development in order to provide policy advice to administrative and decision-making authorities.

6.11 Implement integrated decision-making based on consideration of economic, social, natural resource and environmental factors:

(a) When making major decisions or proposing key projects, government agencies at all levels should conduct sustainable development impact assessments (SDIA) to see whether or not projects are in accord with the sustainable development requirements of regional development plans;

(b) Enhance transparency in administration and decision-making and establish non-governmental consultancy agencies and a public information network to enable the public and relevant non- governmental organizations to participate more effectively in the process of decision-making;

(c) Systematically monitor and evaluate the development process so that government agencies at all levels can assess the progress of sustainable development;

(d) Rationalize resource allocation through policy coordination.

6.12 Adjust the functions of government so that the government will set and implement the macro- control policies which will promote sustainable development:

(a) Promote the use of effective, practical comprehensive management systems, especially in managing natural resources and the environment; gradually include consideration of natural resources and the environment in the national economic accounting system; establish a system of compensation for the use of resources and a system of compensation for polluting the environment;

(b) Revise and improve existing financial and economic regulations to meet the objectives of sustainable development;

(c) Establish and improve national and local laws and regulations on the environment and development, while encouraging a policy environment favourable to sustainable development;

(d) Encourage the local areas and enterprises to formulate and implement practices and regulations required by a sustainable development accounting system.

6.13 Adjust government functions to strengthen the capacities of government agencies to provide organization, coordination and information services, as well as scientific and technical assistance for sustainable development.

6.14 Use a range of approaches to improve the training of the decision-makers and administrative personnel at all levels in order to enhance their awareness of sustainable development, to raise their theoretical understanding of it and to ensure appropriate decision-making and the smooth implementation of plans and programs. Conduct regular and systematic training sessions for various levels of planners, administrative personnel and particularly leaders to upgrade skills and to allow for exchanges of management experiences.

6.15 Encourage international cooperation for training so as to continuously introduce new thinking and practices of foreign countries and to train people involved in management and technology.

B. Development of Education

Basis for action

6.16 The key to eliminating poverty through developing the economy is in scientific and technical progress and improving labor skills. The development of education is fundamental to sustainable development.

6.17 The achievements of China's elementary education have been recognized world-wide, with 98% of its children attending school. Compulsory primary education has been popularized in over 90% of China's populated areas. Primary education has been thoroughly popularized over half of all provinces and municipalities. In recent years, the proportion of qualified primary and middle school teachers has been increasing year by year. Yet, the educational system is still faced with many problems: disproportionately low investments in education; a rising dropout rate in primary and middle school, particularly in primary middle school; instability and serious dropouts of the teaching personnel; the failure of educational contents and methodologies to meet current needs for sustainable social and economic development.

Objectives

6.18 Improve the educational system; continue to strengthen primary education; vigorously develop vocational education; actively promote adult education and higher education; encourage self-study; implement The National Program for Educational Reform and Development, so as to build a group of far-sighted leaders and decision-makers, a contingent of highly-skilled scientific and technological workers in various fields and a large labor force with specific skills and scientific and cultural knowledge.

Activities

6.19 The National Program for Educational Reform and Development should be implemented. In the national economic and social development plans, investment for education will be guaranteed and will be graduate increased with the development of economy. Great efforts will be made to strengthen primary education and to develop vocational, technical, adult, and high education. Engineering 211 for high education will be implemented.

6.20 Continue to insist and perfect the system of collecting educational funds in various fund raising approaches and taking government subsidies as the main source of revenue. With the steady development of the economy, there should be a continuous increase of educational input. Ensure the density of input. Encourage enterprises, social organizations and individuals to contribute financial support or the collection of funds for education.

6.21 Encourage the idea of sustainable development in students' thinking. Incorporate information about natural resources, ecology, the environment and sustainable development into primary school nature courses and middle school geography classes. Offer courses on Development and the Environment in institutions of higher learning, set up additional courses for postgraduates with majors closely related to sustainable development, such as environmental science, so as to include elements of sustainable development in the curricula throughout the whole educational system, ranging from primary to tertiary education.

6.22 Energetically strengthen elementary education, generally popularize nine-year compulsory education and eliminate illiteracy among the young and middle-aged. Roughly meet the requirement of preschool education in large and middle cities. Actively develop preschool in the vast rural areas. Attach importance to the education and training in border, remote and poor regions. Gradually reduce the differences of educated levels between girls and boys and among people of different nationalities or living in different regions.

6.23 The structure of middle school education will be ameliorated to strengthen the construction of vocational and technical senior middle schools. By the year 2000, enrolment and student number in vocational schools will be maintained to an average of 60% of senior high school students nationwide. The network for vocational education and training will be established and improved. The personnel administrative system of "training prior to employment and training necessary for employment" will be applied. On-the-job training and continuous training programs will be vigorously developed to enable employees to constantly upgrade their knowledge and to improve their skills.

6.24 Place emphasis on the building of key institutes of higher learning and key majors in order to meet the needs of the 21st century. Strengthen the training of high level talents. Positively promote the construction of information networks among universities and the exchanges of international information.

6.25 Strengthen the dissemination and popularization of scientific knowledge. Publish popular science books. Encourage the raising of the level of people's cultural and scientific understanding through public education using mass media, viz., the press, films, radio and television, and through offering various kinds of short-term training courses. Raise people's awareness of the issues of sustainable development and their understanding of the urgent need for sustainable development.

6.26 Increase pay for teachers and intellectuals and improve their working and living conditions.

C. Human Resource Development and Capacity Building

Basis for action

6.27 China has a huge population, yet its workers have relatively low levels of cultural and scientific education. In 1989, among those workers whose technical skills levels were graded, 71% were graded class 1 to 3, 23% class 4 to 6 and only 2% for class 7 to 8, the highest. Rural people have even lower educational levels, and 24% are illiterate. This is an important problem which needs to be considered when addressing various issues. China has a large labor force, with over one hundred million surplus laborers in the countryside alone. This figure will reach about two hundred million by the year 2000, which not only will result in a tremendous waste of human resources, but also will result in an increased burden for society due to the greater consumption of resources. Therefore, the development and use of China's labor force and human resources are important for sustainable development capacity building.

Objectives

6.28 Comprehensively utilize human resources. Expand job opportunities and offer new areas for employment. Promote full employment and make use of talented people to meet the demands for human resources in achieving sustainable development.

Activities

6.29 Develop community economies, in particular through the development of tertiary industries, and village and township enterprises so as to provide a wide range of job opportunities for rural youth. Establish a labor services market to promote employment and the rational use of talents. Organize and attract surplus rural laborers to engage in labor-intensive industries, such as ecological projects (e.g. planting trees and grass) and other public works construction projects (e.g. building roads), while improving education and technical training.

6.30 Stress the important role of intellectual resources for sustainable development through radio, televisions and films, in order to allow knowledge and intellectuals their rightful positions in society, and to enhance the whole nation's awareness of the importance of science, technology and ability. Create a social environment in which education is taken seriously, and teachers and talent are respected. Strengthen the management of talented people, by promoting their rational utilization so as to take advantage of individuals' special skills and strengths.

6.31 Support the study and popularization of sustainable knowledge and production skills. Encourage craftsmen and other people of ability to make use of their talents and special skills as a means of alleviating poverty and enriching themselves. Encourage them to pass on their technical skills and knowledge to others.

6.32 Establish training agencies at local levels to enhance professional and technical training. Provide communities with the latest training materials. Introduce successful activities, programs and projects in the area of human resources development and capacity building to these communities. Emphasize training in practical technologies and skills for rural people; continuously upgrade training techniques and increase training efficiency.

6.33 Improve pay and conditions for intellectuals. Adopt incentive measures. Create a liberal environment. Organize the tackling of key problems in science and technology. Provide opportunities for retraining in an effort to tap the enthusiasm and creativity of scientific and technical personnel, and to build up a larger contingent of personnel trained in science and technology.

6.34 Improve the system for cadre training to create a group of educated and resourceful decision- makers and leaders, who have a sense of historical responsibility and strategic thinking, who have organizational abilities and who keep up abreast of developments in order to strengthen the decision-making and organizational abilities of all levels of government.

6.35 Open up farther to the outside world and improve the domestic work environment so as to attract those studying overseas to come back to serve the motherland. Through technical assistance and international cooperation, take advantage of foreign intellectual resources for China's sustainable development and construction, while exporting labor services in accordance with the demands of foreign labor service markets.

D. Science and Technology for Capacity Building

Basis for action

6.36 Science and technology are important components of aggregate national strength and one of the fundamental bases for sustainable development. Without the support of advanced science and technology, the objective of sustainable development cannot be realized. The scientific thesis that science and technology constitute a fundamental productive force has been universally accepted in China.

6.37 Continuous advances in science and technology can effectively provide support for the formulation of policies for sustainable development, can promote the upgrading of the management for sustainable development, can deepen humankind's understanding of the relationship between man and nature, can expand the supply and availability of natural resources, can enhance the utilization and economic benefits of resources, can provide effective means for the protection of the environment and natural resources. These capacities are critical to alleviating the contradictions among China's population and economic growth and limited resources, while attempting to expand the environment's capacity for sustainability and to improve the quality of life, thereby realizing the strategic objectives of sustainable development.

Objectives

6.38 Vigorously promote scientific and technological progress and practice scientific and democratic decision-making; build the national economy by relying on scientific and technological advances to improve economic efficiency and by improving the quality of the labor force; keep in the forefront of developments in high technology, while endeavoring to make breakthroughs; train and build up a well- structured and capable contingent of science and technology personnel.

Activities

6.39 Implement the Outline for Long-term and Medium-term Scientific and Technological Development, the National Plan for Key Scientific and Technological Projects, the National Program for High-tech Research and Development Projects, the National Plan for Key Industrial Experimental Projects, the National Plan for Key Technical Development Projects, the National Plan for the Construction of Key Laboratories, the National Plan for the Construction of an Engineering Research Center, the National Plan for Key Projects, the Torch Plan, the Sparkling Plan and the Plan for the Popularization of Key Scientific and Technological Achievements.

6.40 Develop effective guidelines and policies to attract and encourage large numbers of talented people to engage in science and technology for sustainable development and to build up a well-organized and able contingent of scientific researchers.

6.41 Constantly improve the system for protecting intellectual property and for legislating on science and technology; use government to guide policy to organize management, and to organize scientific and technological collaboration for tackling difficult problems; enhance the building of the support system for scientific research and services by improving research sites, laboratories, experimental facilities and library facilities.

6.42 Conduct studies on the basic theories of sustainable development and develop a theory of sustainable development appropriate to the Chinese situation.

6.43 Conduct studies on the selection of sustainable technologies, on risk assessment and on indicator systems; develop a mature assessment system for sustainable development and a rational technological and economic system for sustainable development.

6.44 Develop a well-structured scientific and technological system for basic research, applied research and engineering design; strengthen new and high-tech research for sustainable development.

6.45 Deepen reforms in scientific and technological systems; develop the market for technology; promote the popularization of scientific and technological achievements; establish a coordinated program of scientific research, technological development, production and marketing.

6.46 Promote extensive exchange and cooperation among scientific researchers in all fields and from all parts of the country, particularly with respect to interdisciplinary exchanges and cooperation; conduct studies on science and technology for sustainable development; enhance exchanges and collaboration in the fields of scientific research, teaching and production; encourage the use of technological advances and developments by enterprises.

6.47 Strengthen international cooperation, promote the exchange of scientific and technical information both at home and abroad and follow closely the latest international scientific developments. Actively seek support from the international community through various channels, in order to cooperate in international scientific and technological activities and exchanges of personnel and achievements. At the same time, assimilate and upgrade advanced technologies imported from overseas.

E. Sustainable Development Information Systems

Basis for action

6.48 Sustainable development is an ongoing process, so it is essential that information can be accessed at any given time, to provide feedback so that adjustments can be made as necessary. It is difficult to arrive at correct decisions with insufficient information. As far as sustainable development is concerned, everyone is both an information supplier and user. Therefore, the establishment of a sustainable development information system involves a broad range of areas.

6.49 Currently, various government agencies and different localities have already established information centers and the state has also set up an broadly-based national information center. These provide an existing foundation for the development of information system for sustainable development.

6.50 In the development of and information system for sustainable development, consideration should be given not only to the quantity and completeness of information but also to its quality and consistency.

Objectives

6.51 By the year 2000, gradually establish a rich information network for sustainable development to which people can have easy access and from which departments and agencies concerned can conveniently obtain the latest, most comprehensive information and statistical indicators about sustainable development.

Activities

6.52 Identify the framework, standards and necessary features of an information system for sustainable development.

6.53 Conduct a technical assessment and comparison of China's existing information systems, which could be used to support sustainable development; identify problems and suggest ways for improving those systems to provide the basis upon which an information system and statistical indicators for sustainable development can be established.

6.54 Establish China's sustainable development information network for exchanges with foreign countries through the UNDP-sponsored "Sustainable Development Network".

6.55 Formulate legislation or a system to govern China's information network for sustainable development; promote the formation of information sharing systems to ensure access by all government agencies, non-governmental organizations and the general public and to ensure the exchange of information.

6.56 Develop and adopt modern instruments for information collection, transmission, management, analysis and processing; develop the high-technologies for geography information systems, remote sensing, satellite communications and computer networks and their application.

F. Continuous Improvement of China's Agenda 21

Basis for action

6.57 China's Agenda 21 is providing the strategic framework for China's sustainable development, within which various programs of all departments and localities can be coordinated and implemented in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. The implementation of China's Agenda 21 is a long-term, gradual process, therefore, it is necessary to continually improve the Agenda and to identify priorities for work in different development phases in accordance with changing circumstances. The priority programs for China's Agenda 21 are directly derived from China's Agenda 21. As a result, they serve to transform China's Agenda 21, a strategic framework, to a phased, operational program of priority projects, which combine pressing issues which need to be solved, capacity building, key technologies and demonstration projects for China's sustainable development.

6.58 It should be pointed out that the implementation of activities in other relevant program areas will contribute to the realization of the objectives of this program area.

Objectives

6.59 Ensure that by the year 2000, the objectives of sustainable development are included in China's major development strategies and objectives. In accordance with the changes in various aspects and priorities of work in different stages, China's Agenda 21 and its Priority Programs will devise new objectives as time proceeds.

Activities

6.60 Conduct research on the concept, theories behind and policies for impact assessments for sustainable development; improve capabilities for multi-disciplinary and comprehensive analyses and for solving problems; analyze and evaluate the results of different policies for development and provide policy advice to the relevant authorities.

6.61 Organize consultations amongst various departments at regular intervals to discuss and evaluate relevant strategies and implementation issues regarding sustainable development; provide policy advice to decision-making authorities; continue to improve China's Agenda 21 and its Priority Programs.

6.62 Ensure the full participation of the public and all sectors of society, so as to fully reflect people's wishes and the requirements of the times in China's Agenda 21 and its Priority Programs and to obtain public support.

6.63 Focus on the objectives of this program area; maintain close contact and cooperation with other countries and international organizations in an effort to continually learn about important developments and common practices from the international community in its pursuit of sustainable development.