CA21 Update - Progress on China's
Agenda 21
CA21 Update No.4 February 20, 1996
Brief News
National Meeting on the Implementation of China's Agenda 21 Held in Beijing
National Meeting on the Implementation of China's Agenda 21 Held in Beijing
The National Meeting on the Implementation of China's Agenda 21, which was co-sponsored by the State Planning Commission and the State Science and Technology Commission, was held from 28-29 November, 1995 in Beijing. More than 200 representatives from the planning, and science and technology departments of provinces, autonomous regions, provincial cities and municipalities were in attendance. Mr. Chen Yaobang, Vice-chair of the State Planning Commission and head of the leading group of China's Agenda 21, gave a report entitled "Implementing the spirit of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 14th Central Committee, promoting the implementation of China's Agenda 21, and achieving sustainable economic and social development". Mme. Deng Nan, Vice-chair of the State Science and Technology Commission, also head of the leading group of China's Agenda 21, chaired and summarized the meeting.
State councillor Dr. Song Jian attended the meeting and delivered an important speech stressing that because China's Agenda 21 provides a good foundation for sustainable development strategy in China, and because the goal of implementation is to achieve sustainable economic and social development in China, it will promote the "two transformations"; that is, the transition from a centrally planned economic system to the socialist market economic system, and the transition from a wasteful and inefficient economic development pattern to an efficient and resource-saving one. It is necessary to promote public awareness so that both decision-makers and the general public are willing to implement China's Agenda 21. It is also necessary to seek new and wider channels of implementation through international cooperation.
Mr. Shi Wanpeng, Vice-chair of the State Economic and Trade Commission, Mr. Xie Zhenhua, administrator of the National Environmental Protection Agency, Mr. Long Yongtu, assistant to the Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation and Mr. Zhang Yesui, Deputy Director General, Department of International Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spoke at the meeting. Representatives from provinces, cities and other departments shared their experiences and put forward suggestions on the implementation of China's Agenda 21.
At the closing ceremony of the meeting, Mme. Deng Nan stressed that departments, provinces and municipalities should play the lead in implementing China's Agenda 21. In addition, "Suggestions for Further Implementation of China's Agenda 21" would be revised and brought to the State Council for approval as a directive for implementing China's Agenda 21 at local levels.
State Oceanic Administration Actively Implementing China's Agenda 21
During 1995, the State Oceanic Administration undertook three major activities for the implementation of China's Agenda 21. First, it organized and formulated China's Oceanic Agenda 21; second, the Administration further set up and improved the system of maritime law enforcement, monitoring and disaster preparedness, and carried out a survey and environmental evaluation of economic development zones and the continental shelf. It also undertook capacity building activities covering satellite techniques in the maritime field, and integrated China's Agenda 21 into the sectoral Ninth Five-Year Plan and the Long-Term Targets to the Year 2010. Finally, two training courses on the implementation of China's Agenda 21, held in Tianjin (September 1995) and Beijing (December 1995) respectively, trained about 60 people from relevant departments in coastal provinces and cities. These actions provide a good base for achieving sustainable oceanic development.
Implementation of China's Agenda 21 in Shanxi Province
As the leading coal producer in the country, Shanxi province is the most important energy base in China. The development and utilization of energy sources have lead to serious resource waste and ecological deterioration. In recent years, the Shanxi Government has taken active measures to rectify this situation.
1. It has placed China's Agenda 21 on the crucial agendas of government at all levels. A leading group for Shanxi's Agenda 21 has been established, and an office for daily work set up. The Government contributed 0.8 million yuan as seed funding for raising public awareness, formulating Shanxi's Agenda 21, and carrying out some training courses.
2. It integrated China's Agenda 21 into local economic and social development plans.
3. It promoted China's Agenda 21 through the enforcement of legislation.
4. A large-scale publicity drive on coordinated and sustainable development of the economy, society and population, resources and environment was launched across the province through news media.
Speech by Mr. Long Yongtu on China's Agenda 21 at the Sixth Congress of UNDIO in Vienna
Mr. Long Yongtu gave a brief description of the Chinese Government's firm commitment to the implementation of China's Agenda 21 at the sixth annual congress of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Vienna on 5 December 1995. He stated that the State Council adopted China's Agenda 21 in March 1994, and adopted it as a guiding document for formulating national economic and social development plans. Thus far the Chinese Government has launched a series of activities for systematically implementing the program, which has been integrated into national economic and social development plans. Secondly, he stated that China has released the Priority Programme for China's Agenda 21. The first tranche of 62 priority projects covers capacity building, cleaner production, sustainable agriculture and rural development, sustainable use of energy and resources, environmental protection, and poverty alleviation. Finally, fund raising and public awareness have been promoted, especially through training and mass media.
Mr. Long also stated that the China International Centre for Economic and Technological Exchanges (CICETE) which is part of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (a member of the leading group for China's Agenda 21) has been representing the Chinese Government in its cooperation with UNDP, UNIDO and other UN agencies. It will continue to actively support China's Agenda 21 and promote the implementation of sustainable development strategy.
Finally, Mr. Long stressed that while China will rely primarily on itself in developing sustainably, it also seeks closer cooperation with the international community in this challenging cause. New and additional funds provided by all multi- and bilateral organizations are welcome. At present, the Second High-level Round Table Conference on China's Agenda 21 is in preparation and is expected to be held in October 1996. It will be a forum for sharing experiences and for further promoting international cooperation on China's sustainable development.
Statistical Summary of the Implementation of China's Agenda 21 in December 1995
In December 1995, the Administrative Centre for China's Agenda 21 carried out a statistical summary of the implementation of China's Agenda 21. A total of 67 returned questionnaires from 27 provinces, 23 departments and 17 provincial cities and municipalities showed the following:
1. Eleven out of twenty-seven provinces have established their own leading groups for Agenda 21, nineteen provinces have set up the related administrative agencies. Three local Agenda 21 documents have been drafted, and seventeen others, including action plans, are being formulated in 17 provinces. Fifty-four training courses in 17 provinces have trained over 7630 people.
2. Fourteen ministries and commissions have established their own leading groups for China's Agenda 21. In 23, corresponding offices have been clearly defined. Nineteen departments have established or are formulating their own action plans, twenty-one departments have integrated or are integrating these agendas into their "Ninth Five-Year Plans" and Long-Term Targets to the Year 2010. Nine training courses in four departments have trained a total of 161 decision-makers.
3. Seventeen questionnaires from provincial cities and municipalities revealed the establishment of five leading groups of Agenda 21. This comprises about 29% of the total. Eight cities, about 47% of the total, have corresponding administrative agencies. Two cities (11%) have their own agendas, ten cities (58.8%) have integrated agendas into planning, and a total of 17 training courses have trained 853 trainees in five cities.
News: It was reported by China's Environment News on Nov. 20, 1995 that the State Economic and Trade Commission has decided to support the construction of a 45000 m3 anaerobic methane wastewater treatment plant by the Lianhua Group; this will be done through the "Shuangjia programme (to promote technical innovation and quicken technological improvement)". With a total investment of over 127 million yuan, this will be the largest anaerobic methane wastewater treatment plant in China. As such, it will serve as a key demonstration site for environmental protection, and new and renewable energy development. It is also of great significance to the Government's goal of making Huai River surface water clean by the end of the year 2000.
Thirty Episode TV Series Broadcast
A 30-episode TV series inscribed by Premier LI Peng and called China's Agenda 21 Is Not A Dream, was jointly produced by the Chinese Society of Sustainable Development, Beijing TV station, and the Honxiang Group under the guidance of the State Planning Commission and the State Science and Technology Commission. It began to be aired on Beijing TV station in February 1996.
The series systematically introduced the background, significance, contents, and essence of China's Agenda 21, vividly presented both problems faced and progress achieved on issues of population, resources, environment and development in China. It presented sustainable development strategy and typical cases to the audience. Through the presentation of striking contrasts, it will enable audiences to be conscience of the importance of sustainable development for both present and future generations, and the urgency with which action must be taken.
Second High-Level Round Table Conference on China's Agenda 21 (26-31 October 1996)
The past few years have witnessed a growing recognition that traditional patterns of consumption and development cannot cope with our increasingly severe ecological and environmental problems, at the global, regional, and local levels. Convened by the United Nations in 1992, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) was a milestone in its recognition of the necessity of sustainable development, often defined as that development which will meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. The adoption by UNCED of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and of Agenda 21 reflects the growing world consensus on the need to collaborate in the field of environment and development.
Taking a significant lead in responding actively to UNCED principles, the Chinese Government formulated the world's first national Agenda 21. Entitled China's Agenda 21 - White Paper on China's Population, Environment, and Development in the 21st Century, this document will guide the formulation of national socioeconomic development plans. Principles of China's Agenda 21 are being incorporated into the Ninth Five-Year Plans and the Long Term Targets to the Year 2010. Implementation of the Priority Programme for China's Agenda 21 is also a concrete and integral part of the China's Agenda 21 process. Currently, the State Planning Commission and State Science and Technology Commission are reviewing the first tranche of 62 priority projects and will soon release a revised version which takes into extensive consideration the Ninth Five-Year Plan.
On 7-9 July, 1994, the Chinese Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) jointly convened the First High-Level Round Table Conference on China's Agenda 21 (CA21) in Beijing. More than 170 foreign senior representatives from over 20 governments; 13 United Nations agencies and international organizations including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank; and more than 20 foreign companies and enterprises took part in the conference. Participants also included around 200 Chinese senior officials and representatives from government agencies, research institutes, and the business community.
Post-conference activity clearly demonstrated the interest that many international donor agencies, foreign governments, NGOs, and enterprises have in collaborating with China in the implementation process of CA21. A number of these partners have already signed agreements or memoranda of understanding on specific projects. In addition, UNDP has provided active and ongoing support to the Chinese government in their endeavour. The ongoing UNDP project, Capacity Building for Integrating China's Agenda 21 into National Economic and Social Development Plans, is helping to strengthen the capabilities of Chinese government agencies to incorporate sustainable development strategies into social and economic planning at various levels.
The Second High-Level Round Table Conference on China's Agenda 21, scheduled to be held on 26-31 October 1996 will further facilitate the implementation of China's Agenda 21 and strengthen regional and international cooperation. Again jointly sponsored by the Chinese Government and UNDP, the Conference will review progress on China's Agenda 21 since it was launched in 1993 and provide an opportunity to discussion collaboration on the priority projects in the revised version of Priority Programme for China's Agenda 21, which is expected to be released in June of this year. In addition, the conference will provide participants from around the world with a valuable opportunity to discuss topics of common interest, including sustainable development indicators, financial mechanisms for sustainable development and Agenda 21 implementation, and the role of the business community in Rio Conference follow-up activities. This conference will help consolidate China's experience in pursuing and implementing sustainable development. This will, in turn, provide valuable input to the fifth session of the Committee on Sustainable Development (CSD) and the forcoming Special session of the General Assembly in 1997, during which worldwide progress on commitments made at the Rio Conference will be evaluated.
For further information on the Conference, please contact the Conference Secretariat by the address below:
- Conference Secretariat
The Administrative Centre for China's Agenda 21
109 Wanquanhe Road, Haidian District
Beijing 100080, P.R.China
Fax:+86-10-6258-8127
Tel: +86-10-6261-0335 or 6256-4400 ext. 2409
E-mail: ca21@moon.bjnet.edu.cn
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
109 Wanquanhe Road, Haidian District,
Beijing 100080, The People's Republic of China
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