CAI-Asia China Project E-Newsletter

Issue No. 35, 2008

Included in this issue:

- Beijing official apologizes to public for bad odors from dump

- Guangdong: Good air and water in the H1, but acid rain continues

- Two satellites launched to monitor disasters

- Autos: Eco-cars to get policy support

- Beijing: fore measures to guarantee good air quality after Olympics

 

AIR QUALITY

- Facts

Beijing official apologizes to public for bad odors from dump (September 5, 2008)

An official in eastern Beijing apologized to the public on Thursday for a bad-smelling garbage dump that's annoying nearby residents and promised to mitigate the odor in 20 days. "On behalf of the government, I apologize to the residents living close to the garbage dump for the smell," Yin Xiufeng, head of the utility committee of the Beijing Chaoyang District, told a press briefing. The Gao'antun Refuse Dump, a major facility in the eastern part of the capital, opened in 2002. It covers 40 hectares and handles 3,400 to 3,700 tons of garbage a day. Volatile marsh gas and wet garbage contributed to the stench, Yin said.

English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/life/2008-09/05/content_7002893.htm 

 

Shanxi: new record of excellent air quality (September 4, 2008)

In August, the excellent and good air quality days in 11 main cities reach 341 as a sum, increasing 2.1% to the same period of the last year. And the days above Grade I Standard reach 48.7%, making a new record in the history. In the first eight months, the days of good air quality in 11 main cities achieve 82% of the purpose in the whole year. The measures used during Olympics will be continued for guaranteeing the good air quality.

Chinese link: http://www.xinhuanet.com/chinanews/2008-09/04/content_14307494.htm 

 

Guangdong: Good air and water in the H1, but acid rain continues (September 4, 2008)

Guangdong EPB published the environmental quality situation of the first half year yesterday. According to the official, the urban air quality is fairly good in the whole province, reaching Grade II Standard in 21 cities. SO2 concentrations in 11 cities, NO2 concentrations in 13 cities and PM10 concentrations in 10 cities all decreased comparing to the same period of the last year. But 66.7% of cities in Guangdong province suffer from acid rain. Pearl River Delta is the heaviest polluted area of acid rain, and nearly 50% rain was acid in the first half year.

Chinese link: http://www.gd.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-09/04/content_14306726.htm

 

Jiaonan: excellent and good air quality rate reached 100% in August (September 3, 2008)

According to the monitoring data in Jiaonan city, Shandong province, in August, the excellent air quality days reach 26, while good air quality days reach 5. The range of API is 26~60, in average 41. Everyday in August has excellent or good air quality.

Chinese link: http://www.vecc-sepa.org.cn/news/news_detail.jsp?newsid=27160 

 

- Initiatives

Guangzhou: Plan of blue sky to launch the end of last year for Asian Games (September 7, 2008)

Guangzhou EPB held the meeting for concluding the work during Olympics and designing the air quality measures for Asian Games. The research structure and work plan for Asian Games have been finished and relevant measures will be launched before November, 2009. And it is still not sure if the even-odd plate measure will be implanted during Asia Games.

Chinese link: http://www.ycwb.com/news/2008-09/07/content_1968389.htm 

 

Two satellites launched to monitor disasters (September 6, 2008)

China launched two satellites to monitor the environment and natural disasters at 11:25 a.m. on Saturday. The two satellites, launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi Province and carried by a Long March 2C rocket, were expected to enhance the country's capacity to forecast natural disasters, according to Bai Zhaoguang, a leading scientist and designer of the satellites. The satellites are the first of their kind put into space by China. They are expected to have a lifespan of more than three years. They have state-of-the-art imaging systems and infrared cameras and provide a global scan every two days.

English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-09/06/content_7004888.htm 

 

ENERGY

- Facts

Energy: Industry cuts back on energy (September 5, 2008)

The majority of industrial companies involved in a government energy-saving campaign have achieved their targets, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said. Of the 953 companies that pledged to reduce energy use, 879, or 92.2 percent, fulfilled their goals, saving 38.2 million tons of standard coal last year, the NDRC said. It said 391 companies, or 41 percent of participants, had gone further and saved more energy than targeted. About 73 percent of the campaign participants invested 50 billion yuan to upgrade facilities to help achieve conservation goals. They invested in more than 8,000 projects to make their operations energy efficient, including boiler retrofits and waste heat utilization facilities.

English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2008-09/05/content_7003378.htm

 

China exports less high energy consuming products in H1 (September 4, 2008)

China experienced a double-digit decline in foreign sales of high energy consuming products in the first half as efforts to reduce exports of such goods began to pay off, the General Administration of Customs said on Wednesday.

Between January and June, China sold 53.13 million tons of high energy consuming products abroad, mainly rolled steel, iron alloy, steel billet, pig iron, aluminum, copper, cement and fertilizer. The figure was down 17.1 percent from the same period last year.

English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2008-09/04/content_6998947.htm  

 

Shenhua exempt in China stoppage of coal-to-oil projects (September 4, 2008)

China has halted all coal liquefaction projects nationwide, except two involving the Shenhua Group, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said on Thursday. Of the two exceptions, one was the under-construction coal-to-fuel project of Shenhua Group; the other was the Ningdong indirect coal liquefaction project jointly planned by the Shenhua Ningxia Coal Group and the South Africa-based Sasol Ltd.

The latter cannot start operation before receiving official approval.

"The move aims to control the business risk of the country's coal-to-oil industry, which is still in an experimental stage," the NDRC said.

English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2008-09/04/content_6999450.htm  

 

-Initiatives

Beijing: energy survey become a part of economic census (September 4, 2008)

The second national economic census has been started in Beijing. The economic census includes the aspects of economy, construction and energy. The result of the census is expected to be published in the next July.

Chinese link: http://www.zhb.gov.cn/hjyw08/200809/t20080904_128150.htm

 

US firms seek green opportunities in China (September 3, 2008)

China's environmental protection and renewable energy market offers enormous opportunities for US businesses, said David Bohigian, the country's assistant commerce secretary. Bohigian is currently leading a clean energy and environment trade mission to China, as part of the two governments' efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field.

The two nations signed a 10-year energy and environment cooperation framework during the fourth round of their Strategic Economic Dialogue this June. As part of the agreement, they pledged to expand cooperation over the next decade in areas such as clean electricity production and transmission, as well as efficient transportation.

English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-09/03/content_6992467.htm 

 

Coal reserve plan a bid to tame prices (September 2, 2008)

The government will revise coal legislation to include a strategic coal reserve by 2015, as it tries to tackle soaring prices. Industry analysts said the strategic reserve would help to keep the coal price down. The revised legislation will outline the process, supervision and penalties involved in the proposed reserve.

English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2008-09/02/content_6989675.htm 

 

Haimen: small boilers to be eliminated gradually (September 1, 2008)

Haimen city, Jiangsu province, will gradually eliminate the small boiler in urban and subside area. And the coal power plant will provide heating to the areas. The measure will control the usage of coal and decrease the emission of SO2 and dust.

Chinese link: http://www.cenews.com.cn/xwzx/zhxw/qt/200809/t20080901_589313.html 

 

TRANSPORT

-Facts　 

New car tax unlikely to dent sales much: experts (September 6, 2008)

A new tax on cars with large engine displacements took effect this month, but the negative impact on sales will be small, experts said. On September 1, the tax on cars with engine capacities of 3 to 4 liters rose 10 percentage points to 25 percent, while the rate for those above 4 liters doubled to 40 percent. The tax is intended to favor energy-efficient models.

Both imported and domestic cars are likely to cost more as a result of the tax hikes, according to Ding Hongxiang, general manager of the China Trading Center for Automobile Imports.

English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-09/06/content_7005127.htm

 

Transportation: Railway cargo transport up 6.8% (September 5, 2008)

China's railway system transported 1.93 tons of cargo nationwide in the first seven months of this year, up 6.8 percent from the same period last year, said the National Development and Reform Commission on Tuesday.

According to the commission, the amount of coal transported as a key resource rose by 10.7 percent. Railways also moved 855 million passengers during the January-July period, up 12.6 percent year-on-year.　The State railways moved 1.62 tons of cargo and 845 million passengers in the first seven months, up 6.3 percent and 12.6 percent from the previous year respectively. It moved 782 million tons of coal, up 9.7 percent year-on-year.

English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2008-09/05/content_7003571.htm　　　

 

-Initiatives　　

Dongguan: emissions of 136 thousand cargo vehicles to be monitored (September 5, 2008)

Dongguan city will examine the emissions of 136 thousand cargo vehicles from 10 September. In the coming three months, the cargo vehicles in the whole city must to be monitored in 13 appointed examining sites. The vehicles not achieving the standard have to be maintained until the emissions are eligible.

Chinese link: http://www.vecc-sepa.org.cn/news/news_detail.jsp?newsid=27212  

 

A plan for vehicles with new energy to be started by Ministry of Science and Technology (September 5, 2008)

Ministry of Science and Technology will start a three-year plan to promote the development of vehicles with new energy in more than ten cities, for the experiments in about a thousand vehicles, said Wangang, the minister of the MoST. The pilot project will increase the number of the mix-power and new energy vehicles to about ten thousand.

Chinese link: http://www.vecc-sepa.org.cn/news/news_detail.jsp?newsid=27219  

 

A compact way to solve a big problem (September 4, 2008)

A possible solution to the growing price of oil came off the production line last week. The V3 LingYue compact car has been developed using independent research at the South East Motor Corporation depot in Fujian and will start being shipped in early October. Using Sanling technology the 1.5L MIVEC engine, with a variable valve timing system, improves fuel efficiency and reduces fuel consumption. Under 60 km, fuel consumption is only 4.3L. It is expected that 3,000 will be supplied per year, retailing at between 60,000 and 80,000 yuan. They go on sale on September 19.

English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2008-09/04/content_6998156.htm 

 

Autos: Eco-cars to get policy support (September 3, 2008)

Favorable policies that support the development of new energy vehicles are expected to come out this year, yesterday's China Business News quoted an insider from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers as saying.

The regulator has completed soliciting public opinion on the drat policies, which include preferential taxes on new-energy vehicles, according to the insider.

The Olympics last month opened the way for the biggest showcase of alternative fuel vehicles in China, but there’s a lot more coming, according to the Minister of Science and Technology.

English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2008-09/03/content_6994847.htm

 

OTHERS

ASEAN, Guangdong sign co-op deal (September 5, 2008)

The ASEAN Secretariat and South China's Guangdong Province, signed here Friday an agreement aimed at deepening and widening Guangdong and ASEAN business forum and cooperation through mechanism. The Memorandum of Cooperation was signed by Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN Nicholas Tandi Dammen and Vice Governor of Guangdong Province Wan Qingliang at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. Under the Memorandum, the two sides will explore and facilitate cooperation activities in various areas including agriculture, information and communication technology, trade and investment, tourism promotion, energy and environment, education and public health.

English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-09/05/content_7003370.htm 

 

Brazil hope to build communication mechanism for science and technology of climate change with China (September 3, 2008)

Brazil hope to build communication mechanism for science and technology of climate change with China in order to cope with the challenge from climate change, said a conscript fathers of Brazil National Committee. He said the climate change influenced people all over the world, and the developing countries like Brazil and China should get together to face the press from developed countries.    

Chinese link: http://www.vecc-sepa.org.cn/news/news_detail.jsp?newsid=27166

 

OLYMPICS & PARALYMPICS RELEVANT

Beijing to operate 28 special bus routes for Paralympics opening (September 6, 2008)

Beijing will operate 28 special bus routes for the Paralympic Games' opening ceremony on Saturday.

The temporary buses will depart from the Beijing South Railway Station, the Beijing Zoo and Sihui, among other terminals, to the Olympic Green, the city's Public Transport Group announced on Friday.

Passengers who hold tickets for the ceremony or valid cards identifying themselves as workers or volunteers for the occasion can ride for free, the group said.

English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/paralympics/2008-09/06/content_7005044.htm 

 

Beijing: fore measures to guarantee good air quality after Olympics (September 6, 2008)

According to the information from Beijing EPB, four measures will be implemented to guarantee good air quality after Olympics and Paralympics, including accelerating to control and eliminate vehicles with heavy pollutions, limiting the producing of enterprises which emit heavy pollutants, enhancing the entry standard of environmental protection for the construction enterprises and mobiling the public to attend and monitor the air pollution. 

Chinese link: http://www.bj.xinhuanet.com/bjpd_sdzx/2008-09/06/content_14330766.htm 

 

Clean skies campaign was a success in Beijing (September 2, 2008)

The massive effort to clear the skies over Beijing for the Summer Olympics paid off, the city's environmental authority said Monday, with the capital seeing its cleanest air in a decade. The Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau said that the improvement in air pollution was mainly the result of special, and temporary, measures that closed factories and banned cars from the roads during the Games.

The clear weather appears to be continuing into September, with clear blue skies that have allowed a rare glimpse of Beijing's western hills, which are usually obscured by smog.

English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/paralympics/2008-09/02/content_6990146.htm 

 

Beijingers debate car restrictions (September 1, 2008)

More than 400,000 Beijingers have joined an online discussion about whether to keep traffic restrictions introduced for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Nearly half of those taking part wanted to see the restrictions - an alternating odd-even license plate system - become a permanent fixture.

Unsurprisingly, motorists account for most opponents of the measure that has been in force since July 20.

English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2008-09/01/content_6986231.htm 

Other comments about the car restrictions:

Curb abuse of govt vehicles (September 3, 2008)

English link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2008-09/03/content_6993120.htm

 

API IN THIS WEEK

 

Olympics Cities	API (Dominant Pollutant)
	1-Sep	2-Sep	5-Sep	6-Sep	7-Sep
Beijing	25	37	58	59	86
	--	--	PM10	PM10	PM10
Tianjin	39	54	60	91	86
	--	PM10	PM10	PM10	PM10
Qinhuangdao	34	52	60	67	71
	--	PM10	PM10	PM10	PM10
Shanghai	78	67	57	34	44
	PM10	PM10	PM10	--	--
Qingdao	33	68	50	40	49
	--	PM10	--	--	--
Shenyang	63	88	64	69	76
	PM10	PM10	PM10	PM10	PM10