Very interesting, thanks Alex.

China's definitely subjecting itself to a punishing learning curve, as it attempts a hundred years' moderniaztion in about 20. The "we just want what you have" rationalization is based to a certain extent on an overly simplistic picture of Western culture. The classic example is that, while we're desperately trying to put bicycles back ionto the street, they're taking them off, as "backward". Of course, most Westerners also believe that bikes are backward, so...

To a Westerner like me, China represents an uncomfortable paradox. I have no right, or desire, to withold from them the (consumer) things I take for granted. Then again, I have every "right" to fear the effects of a billion more people occupying Western-sized ecological footprints.

Of course we can't stop China from developing, so rather than fearing the negative global effects, we need to focus on the positive ones. Openness and communication are on the other side of the development coin, and once they've climbed that learning curve, they'll have insights to share with us that we can't even imagine.

Pretty soon they'll realize that the coolest Westerners don't live in 5000 ft2 McMansions and drive Hummers; they live compact, stylishly treehugging lifestyles!

While there was a time when I was completely perplexed by China and its ways, after living in Beijing and studying modern China for about 10 months now I no longer view China as a paradox. China is an adolescent, stubborn and idealistic. It has gone from famine to friday night banquets in a mere 35 years. Just like everyone in the world, the Chinese just want a warm place and happy belly. For the past century that place has been the West. The Chinese see the affluent lifestyle of the west and want it too. While this lifestyle has worked for the West for half a century now, it won't work for the populations of India and China if we care about leaving a planet for our grandchildren.

Something's gotta give and the Chinese leaders recognize this. Hu Jintao and friends have ambitious plans of creating a 'harmonious society' where all have access to equal opportunities in life, basically they seek to create the perfect society. While it is a rather impossible goal, props to them for having vision (more I can say for many other leaders in the world who will go unnamed). As Alex mentioned, at the national level China has created a comprehensive set of environmental laws in attempt to increase China's 'green-transparency;' however there are several major barriers blocking their fruition.

For starters, while SEPA (China's EPA) is a government ministry it is still ranked as one of the lowest of ministries, below that of the Economic Development and Reform Minsitry for example who frequently bump heads with one another. Therefore, the environmental ministry is rather weak when it comes time to make decisions.

Secondly, local cadres are still evaluated on the basis of their regions economic development, resulting in a disconnect between national and local law enforcement. This is especially true for environmental laws that jeopardize local company profits. There has been much talk recently of Green GDP and adding an environmental protection criterion to official evaluation; however, these are both yet to be seen in practice.

Lastly, the world has yet to see a definite commitment to creating a sustainable world economy; therefore, without this assurance just like any company, China is hesitant to invest in renewable infrastructure and in turn opts for tried and true sources of energy from the Western example such as coal and carbon. With out international cooperation and this assurance as well as improved cadre evaluation, China's harmonious society will not be realized.

Sorry that was long, but I guess I had a few things to say about that. Alex, good coverage of these increasingly important issues.

"Secondly, local cadres are still evaluated on the basis of their regions economic development, resulting in a disconnect between national and local law enforcement. This is especially true for environmental laws that jeopardize local company profits. There has been much talk recently of Green GDP and adding an environmental protection criterion to official evaluation; however, these are both yet to be seen in practice." -J.Mart

Have a look at the website below, shows how unfortunatley firmly rooted the GDP-progress relationship is in China. It does seem strangely contradictory with Chinese long-term orientation as has been measured in Geert Hoffstede's cross-cultural studies. Let's hope that with this trait they'll find the the harmonious balance between progress and the environment sooner than the other Modern (western) nations have in the past. To reach this level of maturity will take time and cost the environment, Western (and Japanese) hindsight can only realy serve as an example and source of advice.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/FJ23Ad01.html

The problem with China is that it may have good, industrious, hardworking people, but it is still ruled by corrupt officials who dont care about anything except their own money and power. I would not put it above them to launch a good PR campagin every once in a while to make it look like they actually give a hoot when they dont.

What they dont realize is that they are only delaying the inevitable by not showing leadership in stopping climate change. As the rest of the world realizes the importance of saving the planet and becomes more eco-friendly, China and India will be the only two countries that will still be throwing coal on the furnaces. Their dumb 'developing nations' excuse will no longer be viable, and their countries along with all the good people in then will be headed for ruin as the rest of the world cuts them off.