CA21 Update - Progress on China's
Agenda 21
CA21 Update No.1 November 20, 1995
Brief News
Foreword
Foreword
The consensus reached at UNCED in 1992 about the long term problems of environment and development faced by countries all over the world, together with the introduction of the sustainable development concept brought about an opportunity for dramatic change in global development.
Without the natural resource advantages and environmental capacity enjoyed by many developed countries during their industrialization periods, China has experienced a relatively sharp conflict between environment and development. Thus, putting China on a path towards sustainability is not only an opportunity to be grasped but also a great challenge for Chinese to be faced with. We can no longer adopt a "pollute first, clean-up later" approach. However, our capabilities are limited not only by a lack of funding but also of technology, making increased inputs into ecological and environmental protection in the near-term quite difficulty. We are faced with many problems arising from the transition of our economic order. Furthermore, our past emphasis on the quantity rather than quality of development is deeply entrenched and difficult to change. Environmental protection and development are, for the most part, still seen as two separate issues in our management system.
Because of the severity of this situation, the Chinese government was the first one to propose "China's Agenda 21" after the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. We decided to follow a path towards sustainability not only because of commitments made at the UN Conference, but more importantly as a result of China's own needs.
"China's Agenda 21" is a strategy and blueprint for future development. It serves as a guideline for the integrated and holistic development of the economy, society, science and technology, natural resources, the environment and the population. "Plans for the Priority Programme of China's Agenda 21" is, in turn, a practical guide for actual detailed implementation of "China's Agenda 21".
The implementation of China's Agenda 21 and taking the path towards sustainability are not mere catchphrases, but important plans which have already been integrated into the national agenda. Recently, President Jiang Zemin indicated that sustainable development would be an important strategy in the Chinese modernization drive. Similarly, Premier Li Peng pointed out that the guiding principle of sustainable development should be embodied in the Ninth Five-year plan and the long-term targets for the year 2010.
Agenda 21 is a comprehensive and overarching systematic transformation that will be achieved through generation efforts. In our call for increased international cooperation, we have recognized the potential benefits for foreign partners. Large scale adjustments in the structures of production, industry, and the economy concomitant to China's transformation to sustainability have provided many new market opportunities. We wish to strive for closer international cooperation for the mutual benefits and the common future.
We hope that the introduction of this first issue of CA21 Update, a newsletter published by the Administrative Centre for China's Agenda 21, will give the international community a good understanding of the latest developments in the implementation of China's Agenda 21. We also hope this newsletter will be useful for exchanging information, enlarging channels of international cooperation, mobilizing domestic and foreign funds, and further promoting the implementation of China's Agenda 21.
Welcoming the Participation of the International Business Community in the Implementation of the Priority Programme of China's Agenda 21: A Letter of Invitation
Are you interested in understanding the strategic framework, policies, and actions behind China's current transition towards sustainable development? Do you want to hear about the many business opportunities provided by China's Agenda 21? Would you like to find the most ideal partner for your business? If so, please do not hesitate to contact us. The Administrative Centre for China's Agenda 21 (ACCA21) is ready to work with you.
Under the leadership of the State Planning Commission and State Science and Technology Commission, ACCA21 is actively promoting the implementation of China's Agenda 21 and selecting its priority projects as well as looking for international cooperation on these projects. ACCA21 has established dialogue with dozens of potential partners from international organizations and foreign businesses and enterprises. At home, ACCA21 has extensive and close relationships with government ministries and domestic enterprises. Thus, ACCA21 is an effective liaison between international and domestic partners. As a bridge between China and the global business community, we are committed to supporting sustainable development activities everywhere, and we believe that you will find us a trustworthy and valuable partner.
As a representative of ACCA21, I would like to express our deep gratitude to our many international friends who have supported us in our endeavours. We hope to make many new friends as well.
Professor Liu Peizhe
Director General
ACCA21
Research on Integrating China's Agenda 21 into
National Economic and Social Development Plans
In response to the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, the People's Republic of China moved promptly to develop the first national Agenda 21- a comprehensive strategy for coordinated national action to promote sustainable development. This strategy is the outcome of one and a half years of intensive sustainable development planning by officials and experts from central ministries representing all of China's development, resource management and environmental protection sectors, as well as representatives from academic institutions, non-governmental organizations and the media. The final strategy, entitled China's Agenda 21- White Paper on China's Population, Environment and Development in the 21st Century, was approved by the State Council on 25 March 1994.
Although China is shifting from a highly planning economy to a socialist market economy, planning continues to be a major means for managing national economic and social development. Governmental regulation and guidance are of major importance to key economic and social activities, in particular public undertakings. Thus, the main contents of China's Agenda 21 will be embodied in the Ninth Five-year Plan for National Economic and Social Development (1996-2000) and the Long-term Targets for 2010. On 7 July 1994, the State Council further directed all provinces, municipalities, autonomous regions and central ministries to apply China's Agenda 21 as the guideline for formulating their respective medium and long-term economic and social development plans.
The Chinese government decided to strengthen the capability and awareness of decision-makers at various levels for incorporating sustainable development principles and objectives into their respective programmes, plans and day-to-day activities. In July 1994, UNDP started to support, through its capacity 21 programme, capacity building for integrating China's Agenda 21 into national economic and social development plans. The State Planning Commission took the lead in establishing a working network with members from over 30 relevant ministries, national corporations and provincial governments. Beijing municipality, Hubei province and Guizhou province were selected as pilots for research on the integration at the provincial level. By May 1995, nearly 300 medium-level officials from central ministries and provincial governments participated in the six week- long training workshops, which were designed to deepen their understanding of the sustainable development concept and to encourage its practice in their daily activities.
On the basis of policy recommendations raised by participating ministries and pilot provinces, and under the assistance of UNDP consultants, a core Chinese expert team drafted the report on integrating China's Agenda 21 into the national economic and social development plans in July 1995. The draft report was widely disseminated for comments and suggestions. At a workshop sponsored by UNDP in August 1995, representatives from over 30 ministries and local governments shared their experiences in this regard and discussed common problems. International consultants from the World Bank, the US and Europe also contributed suggestions on ways in which this important and challenge initiative could benefit from relevant international experience.
Remarks raised at the August workshop were incorporated into the final research report, Macro- management for China's Sustainable Development, by national and international experts. The report sketches a comprehensive strategy combining social, economic, and environmental policies for China's sustainable development and links economy-wide policy to the sustainability of economic development. It also provide a framework for policy design and sectoral policy recommendations for the Ninth Five-year Plan. Other local governments can draw on the experiences of the three pilot provinces to incorporate sustainable development strategy into their own local economic and social development plans. The research report has been distributed to relevant ministries and local governments for reference.
The policies for formulation of the Ninth Five-year Plan and the Long-term Targets for the Year 2010, recently released by the top state leaders, have placed top priority on two transitions: the transition from a centrally planned economy to a socialist market economy and the transition from a resource-intensive and low-efficiency economic development model to a resource-saving and efficient model. Unprecedented importance is attached to environment protection and sustainable development. Under these circumstances, on-going research will play a very important role in the achievement of overall sustainable development in China. (Shi Han)
Training for the Integration of China's Agenda 21 into Economic and Social Development Plans
Begun in July 1994 under the direction of the State Planning Commission and the State Science and Technology Commission, "Capacity Building for Integrating China's Agenda 21 into its Economic and Social Development Plans" includes both research and training activities. From November 1994 to May 1995, 309 participants from 36 agencies and ministries; 29 provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities; and 26 cities were trained in six separate sessions in Beijing. Most of the officers trained are directly responsible for the Ninth Five-year Plans and Targets for the Year 2010 in their respective agencies.
Vice chairman of SPC Chen Yaobang stated, "Our nation's fundamental conditions and the strategic goals we have set dictate that we can no longer use a development model which stresses only quantity of production without consideration for the sustainable use of resources. Instead, we must use the concept of sustainability as a guide to harmonize the economy, resources, society, and the environment, and to establish relevant policies and strategies for ensuring sustained, healthy, and fast economic growth." Similarly, vice chairperson of SSTC Madame Deng Nan stated, "The most effective means of implementing China's Agenda 21 is its integration into national social and economic development plans through specific programs and actions. We must make the transformation from our traditional inefficient economic development model which stressed production quantity at the expense of the environment to an efficient resource-saving and economic development model. The use of science and technology is vital to the implementation of China's Agenda 21 as it is raising the general capacity and quality of life for the public."
Fifty experts from 27 ministries and academic institutions participated in the compilation and revision of training course materials. Through their discussions and consultation, the training materials were revised three times. Thirty international and national experts and high-level government officials delivered lectures on the sustainable development concept, and on policies and measures to address serious socio- economic problems.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and other related international agencies all offered a tremendous amount of support for this training. Resident UNDP Representative in China Mr. Arthur N. Holcombe, Deputy UNDP Representative Ms. Li Jingwen, and UNIDO China Director Mr. Ian Davies delivered lectures and attended the training sessions several times. Representatives from UNDP made a total of 10 visits to lecture and participate in training discussions, as did two representatives from UNIDO in a total of three visits. An expert from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) also delivered a lecture at the training session.
Through classroom lectures, extensive reading materials, field trips, videotape, small group discussions, and many opportunities to exchange experiences, trainees gained a much deeper understanding of sustainable development and its implementation. In addition, each was able to actively discuss his or her own work. Each trainee wrote a report at the conclusion of the workshop in which he or she expressed valuable suggestions and opinions.
Trainees offered practical suggestions for the implementation of China's Agenda 21:
- The scope of public awareness of China's Agenda 21 and sustainable development should be strengthened and widened. They recommended that curriculum about sustainable development and Agenda 21 be developed and used in the government administrative personnel school as well as regional and local government schools. In addition, high level workshops should be held at the provincial and all ministerial administrative levels; and television and other news media should be used to strengthen public awareness of sustainable development.
- China should support sustainable development by adopting policy guidelines which emphasize and allocate a certain quota of loans specifically for sustainable development and the implementation of the priority projects.
- In managing the plans for national, sectoral, and local Ninth Five-year Plans and Long-term Targets for the Year 2010, national planners should provide not only overall guidance but also some specific directions and targets to facilitate the integration of China's Agenda 21 at all levels.
- Because the integration of China's Agenda 21 into the planning is a new activity in which we do not have a great deal of experience, all local governments and agencies must cooperate and hold timely conferences to share valuable experiences and insights on the integration of China's Agenda 21. (Chen Xiaolin)
Editor's postscript
CA21 Update is a bulletin issued by ACCA21 to report progress on CA21 implementation; important initiatives on strategies, policies, measures, and action plans for sustainable development; and international cooperation on the implementation of CA21 to the domestic and international communities.
We welcome responses from our readers. If you have proposals, questions, or comments, please contact with the editorial department of ACCA21 by letter or fax.
Edited by the Administrative Centre for China's
Agenda 21
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