China the Beautiful

[Jane]

"The names of the most polluted cities in the country were released Tuesday.

China's environmental watchdog released the list for the first time as part of efforts to improve air quality across the country.

North China's Shanxi Province, well-known for its coal industry, stood out with three cities included on the black list: Linfen, Yangquan and Datong.

The others are Shizuishan in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sanmenxia in Henan Province, Jinchang in Gansu Province, Shijiazhuang in Hebei Province, Xianyang in Shaanxi Province, Zhuzhou in Hunan Province and Luoyang in Henan Province. "

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200407/15/eng20040715_149642.html

[sllee]

I don't know about the other cities. I was in Luoyang in 2002. It seems to be alright. Not as bad as in Hong Kong. I could only tell from the air pollution, of course. Soil/water pollution is something else. Some of the heavy chemical industries may be a problem.
_________________
SL Lee
http://www.asiawind.com

[Jane]

Here in Guangzhou, things seem to have improved somewhat noticeably over the past several years. A couple of years ago, a friend claimed that he never saw blue sky in the city, not even in the white cloud mountain. I don't know how true it was. But it was true that I used to have sore throat every time I was downtown. Now, for quite some time, I no longer have this problem and the shoes seem to be not as dirty as before after a day of shopping in Beijing lu.

Jane

[sllee]

Jane,

Do you know of the place YingbinGuan? (Guest House)? IO think that was on Jiefang Lu and Zhongshan 6 Lu, something like that. Is it still there? What has become of it? It was one of the places Nixon stayed when he first came to China.
_________________
SL Lee
http://www.asiawind.com

[syho]

[Jane]

[Aolung]

In summer now exactly 15 years ago, my impression was that pollution in China was quite frigthtening and - e.g. expecting private traffic to encrease tremendously - my guess then was that this would develope from bad to worst. I think that due to a growing awareness of these fatal problems, the worst case imagined by me didn't happen.

Yes, also in summer 1989, Datong was a very polluted city. But I can say that the smell of coal was _everywhere_ in the northern part of the country, even at most beautiful regions like Wu Tai. I remember that in Taiyuan the sky was opaque grey although the sun was shining (and our Beijing friend was suffering from circulary disturbance and had to stay in his room for some time).
In Guangzhou, the sky was blue and the Pearl River very beautiful - as looked at from afar: its waters were dirty of pollution. I'm hoping that those expectations reported by Jane will come true.

Alfred

[Jane]

[Aolung]

Jane,

many thanks also from my side for your detailed response to Dr. Lee's query Knowing the places you're mentioning, quite a couple of pleasant memories are coming to my mind. I'm still thinking back to our stay at impressing White Swan Hotel ¥Õ¤ÑÃZÀ\À] and its beautiful pond with cascade, the jade trees and old Bonsais in the entrance hall, the night club, 'Silkroad' etc.. Bai Tian E was the best of all the 1st-class hotels we had the pleasure to stay in all parts of the country - and so vast that we lost the group of tourists I guided and couldn't find them there until next morning in the breakfast lounge (which, BTW, has a wonderful sight on the river).

Just memories!

Alfred

[sllee]

Thanks, Jane, for your info.

The reason I asked is I was staying in there in 1979 on the opposite wing to where Nixon stayed (!), the right hand side of second floor. Nixon stayed on the left hand side, looking in from the main entrance.

At that time, it was a beautiful traditional Chinese style mansion that was used for the reception of the highest ranking diplomats only. The outside entrance was guarded by PLA guards. It was once the residence of Li Zongren Àî×ÚÈÊ. The reason I asked is because I hope it is not torn down to give way to highrise.

I was an invited scholar giving lectures at the Zhongshan Memorial Hall to the Institute of Botany (Chinese Academy of Sciences) and Zhongshan University. I enjoy the week in Guangzhou then. The pictures taken within the Guest House give me a beautiful memory.
_________________
SL Lee
http://www.asiawind.com

[chinapage]

Pollution is bad in many Chinese cities, and it is getting worse at a fast rate. Yet I think there is hope in the future.

Much of China's old industry is very poorly built and run. A lot of new factories are built every day, which adds to the total problem. So the problem will get worse in the near future.

If new factories are being added at the unbelievably fast pace, then the old factories may become obsolete and dismantled. Even if they are not replaced, they are statistically less important each day.
Soon the average age of Chinese factories will be newer than the U.S. factories Thus it may be possible that soon the Chinese factories will produce fewer pollutants.

Millions of new cars are on the streets and cause problems. But soon the average age of cars in China will be newer than the U.S. If strict rules are imposed by the government, then China may not be worse off. A big if, I admit.

This week's news report says that the new National Theatre in Beijing has completed its glass roof. So I looked up this photo taken a couple of months ago.



So there was one sunny day in Beijing this year.
Ming

[剑枫]

[syho]