Chapter 2 Formulation and Implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy Section 6 Progress in Implementing Local Agenda 21 2.35 China is a vast country and there are great disparities between the eastern, central, and western parts of the country in natural conditions, economic development, and urbanisation. In view of this, it is essential for China to formulate different action plans for sustainable development which are suited to the local situations and conditions. The Chinese Government put forward its "Opinions for Further Implementation of China's Agenda 21" in 1996, which laid down four requirements for local authorities: The local authorities shall, in the spirit of China's Agenda 21, formulate detailed local action plans for realising sustainable development in accordance with the local social and economic situation, population characteristics, available resources, environmental condition, and major difficulties and obstacles. The local authorities shall, in accord with the local conditions, select and implement pilot projects that are relevant to local sustainable development, and disseminate the experiences drawn from them. Local authorities shall facilitate the information flow and exchange of experiences in implementing Agenda 21, guide the construction of cities and towns in line with the concept of sustainable development, and create comprehensive experimental communities for sustainable development in medium- and small-sized cities or districts of large cities which are well-suited for development and can serve as a model for emulation. The local authorities shall install the proper administrative organs of strong leadership for unified implementation of China's Agenda 21 and shall provide them with the necessary facilities. 2.36 By the end of 1996, two-thirds of the 30 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities had organised their respective Leading Groups and established working offices to implement their Local Agenda 21. Some provinces have formulated their own Local Agenda 21 and action plans, such as the Agenda 21 of Sichuan (the most populous province in China), the Agenda 21 of Shanxi (a coal-rich province), and the "Action Plan for Implementing China's Agenda 21 in Guizhou - Challenging Poverty" (the poorest province of the country). Some other provinces and municipalities have incorporated the sustainable concept into their local plans for economic and social development and regional development. With the support of the UNDP, Beijing has started a project on "Addressing Key Agenda 21 Sustainable Human Development Issues in Beijing". 2.37 Some cities have also done work in this area. For example, Benxi City in Liaoning Province and Nanyang City in Henan Province have drawn up their own Agenda 21, and Wuhan City and Shenyang City have been listed in UNCHS and UNEP's global "Sustainable Cities Programme". 2.38 The State Science and Technology Commission, the State Commission for Restructuring Economy, the State Planning Commission, and 20 other relevant departments under the State Council have jointly organised a selection of China's Sustainable Development Experimental Communities in regions of varying specialities. These zones include towns, counties, cities, and municipalities that are typical and representative of the social economy. These experiments on sustainable development enjoy support from the government and participation from all walks of life. In these experimental communities, coordinated sustainable development will bring together the economy, society, resources, and environment, thus offering experiences to, and posing as a model for, the nation's effort in realising its sustainable development strategy. Since the commencement of the pilot project in 1996, 26 national comprehensive experimental communities of social development and 40 provincial level communities have been established. Box 2-8 The Main Aims of China's Sustainable Development Experimental Communities   strengthening capacity building for sustainable development promoting the realisation of a sustainable economy accelerating economic restructuring and social reform promoting municipal planning and construction creating a favourable environment for production and living accelerating the development of social welfare developing communal organisations and culture creating favourable social conduct and ethical standards Text Browser Utilities: [ACCA21 Home Page, National Report on Sustainable Development Home Page, Back, Next] For more information about ACCA21 contact: web@acca21.org.cn Address: 109 Wanquanhe Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100089, People's Republic of China Telephone: +86-10-82636193, +86-10-82634400 Ext.2401 Fax: +86-10-82636192