24 killed, 200 injured in China quake and other environmental news

NRDC has been working in China for over twelve years on such issues as energy efficiency, green buildings, clean energy technologies, environmental governance and public participation, and green supply chain issues. This China Environmental News Alert is a weekly compilation of news from around the world on China and the environment.

March 5, 2011 - March 11, 2011

24 killed, 200 injured in China quake
United Press International (March 10, 2011)
An earthquake in southwest Yunnan province has killed at least 24 and injured more than 200 people. The epicenter of the magnitude 5.8 earthquake took place in Lameng, China; over 80 percent of homes were destroyed. Vice president Xi Jinping ordered relief supplies to be sent to the affected area.

China trade swings to largest deficit in 7 years
Reuters, (March 9, 2011)
China achieved a surprise trade deficit of $7.4 billion in February as imports increased by 19.4 percent and exports increased by only 2.4 percent. Economists claim the imbalance is temporary – as it coincides with China’s New Year – China’s largest work holiday. The news is welcome to the Chinese government as it hopes to increase consumption and lower inflation at home.

Regional officials considering changes to population policy
China Daily (March 10, 2011)
Government officials of certain provinces are considering changing the 1 child policy to allow two children for parents who were an only child. China’s birth rate is already a low 1.8 and officials fear demographic bottlenecks in the future, as more Chinese age. Still, Chinese leaders are cautious about policies that could lead to long-term population increases. 

China to Ramp Up Cheap-Housing Push
Wall Street Journal (March 9, 2011)
China has earmarked nearly $200 billion this year to construct subsidized housing - a two-thirds increase over last year. China hopes to curb rising housing prices in metropolises by providing housing for low and middle-income owners. Ensuring affordable housing could prove difficult, however, as developers prefer to construct high-end property. There are also fears subsidized housing may crowd out housing supply in the commercial market.

China could become net rare earth importer by 2015
Reuters (March 10, 2011)
China, currently responsible for 97% of the world’s rare earth metal production, could become a net importer by 2015. In the wake of sustained environmental damage, China has slashed export quotas by 35% and is working hard to curtail illegal extraction and trading. China has also decided to stockpile rare earth metals – further adding to price pressure.

Record harvest expected despite drought
United Press International (March 10, 2011)
China’s agriculture minister has reported that China expects a record grain harvest, despite fears of drought earlier this year. The current wheat harvest has benefitted from recent precipitation and drought relief irrigation efforts. China is the world’s largest wheat producer and consumer.

NDRC: Carbon intensity goals to be met
China Daily (March 7, 2011)
The head of the National Development and Reform Commission is taking measures to reduce carbon intensity by more than 40% of 2005 levels by 2020. Carbon intensity is carbon emissions by weight per unit of energy. The NDRC director said specific measures in China’s 12th 5-year plan place targets for local governments and companies that are “mandatory and binding”.

Pollution blocking water path
China Daily (March 9, 2011)
China’s plan to transport water 1,400 kilometers to the arid north is facing new obstacles from increased pollution. The South-to-North Water Diversion Project, planned decades ago, failed to account for population growth and industrial expansion in regions along the pipeline’s route. Now more money is needed to pay for treatment of water and stem water pollution before water can be diverted to cities like Beijing and Tianjin.

U.S. officials pushed products deemed unsafe by China
Reuters (March 9, 2011)
Two U.S. senators asked Chinese officials to allow importation of medical equipment deemed unsafe in the United States. Baxter Healthcare hoped to export blood bags using polyvinyl chloride (PVC), but Chinese regulators decided to ban the products for use in hospitals. Baxter says it is currently developing new IV bags to be ready this year that will pass current regulation.

China to enact mental health law in 2011
People’s Daily, (March 11, 2011)
China will enact a mental health law in 2011. Recent studies have found that 100 million Chinese citizens were affected by mental illness and 16 million were found to be “severely ill”. China also plans to revise a number of laws focusing on the budget and criminal and civil procedural law.

China Consumer-Price Index Rises 4.9%
Wall Street Journal (March 11, 2011)
Inflation in China shows no signs of abating as February’s consumer price index rose again by 4.9%. The increase has put pressure on Chinese consumers and may slow future growth. Beijing has made inflation its top priority for 2011. China hopes to curb inflation to 4% this year without hampering economic growth.

(CENA prepared by Timothy Ingalls)

* The links and article summaries in this post are provided for informational purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Natural Resources Defense Council.

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