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Introduction to Local Agenda 21 Program
 As China advances toward modernization, sustainable development becomes a choice of necessity. To improve the central government's guidance to local governments on implementing China's Agenda 21 and further promote Local Agenda 21 Program, the State Planning Commission and the State Science and Technology Commission jointly issued a document in November 1997 (jiguodi [1997] No. 2247) announcing the launching of Local Agenda 21 Program in 16 provinces/cities. Those 16 locations were Beijing City , Hubei Province, Guizhou Province , Shanghai City , Hebei Province, Shanxi Province , Jiangxi Province, Sichuan Province , Dalian City , Haerbin City , Guangzhou City , Changzhou City , Benxi City , Nanyang City , Tongchuan City , and Chizhou Region.
This pilot program includes the following components:
- Incorporate the basic ideas and items of China 's Agenda 21 into local development plans, policy-making processes and regulatory systems
- Strengthen interagency coordination at local levels
- Build up local capacities in fields such as publicity, education and training
- Support public participation and raise public awareness of sustainable development
- Explore the creation of a policy and regulatory system that favors regional sustainable development
- Bolster international cooperation and seek international aid ¨C including foreign investment ¨C in the area of sustainable development.
Over the past several years, remarkable progress has been made in this respect, boosting China 's local sustainable development. To date, over three quarters of the provinces and a number of prefectures and cities have set up offices or agencies to facilitate Local Agenda 21 Program; more than half of the provinces and many lower-level governments have finished drafting or are in the process of drafting Local Agenda 21 or action plans; the overwhelming majority of provinces have undertaken various forms of training and publicity and demonstration initiatives in this area.
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