By Li Hong, People's Daily Online
Two recent events have defined Chinese top leadership's resolve to embrace opinion of the public, and to look to the country's future in decision-making. Although no prime-time town hall conference calls were held, or photo-ops arranged, the Confucian way of getting things done is of no less significance.
Premier Wen Jiabao has ordered an immediate halt to construction of a massive hydropower plant in Southwest China, which, if built, will dam one of the country's most scenic rivers, the Nujiang River. Wen's instructions included an in-depth and extensive study of the would-be impact on local ecology and local communities.
And, Vice-Premier Li Keqiang has been assigned to spearhead China's new approach to vigorously research and develop the industry of new energy, a domain the Western governments have been clamoring and spinning, while China has been lagging far behind. Ultimately emblematic of high-tech, low-carbon, top-caliber efficiency and green to the environment, Beijing has never let it up in its radar screen, and now quietly pinned it on top of its agenda.
The assertions by some Western media that Beijing was to renege on prior promises to prop up environmental protection and cut greenhouse gas emissions, in the headwinds of a chilling global economic crisis, will prove to be just second-guessing.
Surely the decision to hold on blocking a river will enrage power companies and local vested interests, but public's vocal demands that a thorough probing into possible side-effects of a damming, particularly its sabotaging ecology and damaging local strains of bio-diversity, got ears of the decision makers. Even though a slowing economy calls for quick decision on big infrastructure projects, as Beijing has kicked off a $586 billion stimulus spending plan, destruction of local environment and moving tens of thousands of families away from their familiar habitat is unwarranted.
In calling a halt, Wen reportedly told the authorities to "widely heed opinions, expound on the plan thoroughly and make prudent decisions". He was right.
By whatever calculations, China's momentous growth needs huge and sustainable energy supply to power. Now, coal burning accounts for about 80 per cent of electricity demands, which also is a major source of pollution. Looking to the future, a vibrant economy and an increasingly environment conscious middle class are set to ask for more and better. That's what the new energy, other than the traditional fossil fuel, could yield.
No matter it is the solar, wind, tidal wave, electric fuel cell for motors, or other forms of renewable energy, availability at present stage is much more expensive, as compared to dirty coal. However, given substantially more research, new energy would be cheaper than fossil fuels in about 20-30 years. And, it will reduce China's dependence on foreign oil.
Based on the above scenario, the Central Government has decided to invest heavily on the industry, pinning hope on it to become one of the towering industries, like telecom and real estate to an economy.
Beijing has also planned to harvest a windfall of technological competitiveness among nations after a mature new energy sector comes into existence. Latest measures to shore up new energy industry include more subsidies and rewards to private entrepreneurship in researching, and government subsidizing consumption of newly developed products, say, the electric and hybrid buses and cars.
Encouraged by government initiatives, China has emerged as the world's leading builder of more efficient, less polluting coal power plants, getting to master the technology and driving down the cost. It begins to lead in wind turbines. And, China has aimed at becoming a world leader in all-electric vehicles, too.
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