未来五年生态方面的发展

Given the ecological challenges China is facing right now, the issue of tending to the environment has been given a leading priority at the just-concluded CPC National Congress.

Guizhou, a relatively underdeveloped province in southwest China, has enjoyed double-digit GDP growth in the past few years, while at the same time successfully preserving its lush green mountains.

Yu Hongqiu, a delegate and a senior official from Guizhou, says the province views green progress as a way to catch up with more developed areas in eastern China.

"Many people believe industrialization is on the opposite side of environmental protection, as if the environment must be destroyed during industrialization. I think that's one-sided. We put forward a concept of eco-industrialization. When we are attracting investment, although Guizhou is badly in need of investment and projects, we always choose carefully. Any projects that will make Guizhou black and dirty are rejected. We only choose projects that are compatible with our environmental endowment."

Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou, became a pilot city for ecological progress in 2009 and a low-carbon city in 2010, setting an example for all relatively-underdeveloped cities in western China.

The 18th CPC National Congress incorporates ecological progress into the country's overall development plan together with economic, political, cultural and social progress.

The work report delivered by Hu Jintao also specifically states that China "must give high priority to making ecological progress" and "work hard to build a beautiful country."

Fang Mei, a delegate to the 18th CPC National Congress, explains her understanding of the phrase "a beautiful country."

"A beautiful country is not only a requirement for ecological progress, but more importantly, it paints a beautiful picture of the harmonious relationship among people, and between people and nature."

According to the International Energy Agency, China is currently the world's biggest emitter of carbon dioxide, and the level of its CO2 emissions continues to rise.

Yang Fuqiang, Senior Advisor at the Natural Resources Defense Council, suggests that additional laws are needed to promote ecological progress.

"For instance, in the legal system and now in China we have an amendment to the environmental law, but we'd like to establish a climate change law, so this is a key part. With this law, the Chinese government could establish a strategy and specific regulations, policies and incentives to promote ecological progress."

Yang also says China should adopt a market mechanism along with an institutional method to achieve this goal within the next five years.

"In the future, maybe we should use both hands, one holding a mandatory institutional requirement, and the other using the market tool. For example, although we will have to increase the price of resources, we can have a carbon emissions trading market. That would make economic sense and cut social costs."

China is planning to launch pilot carbon dioxide trading schemes in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chongqing and Guangdong and Hubei provinces next year.