The China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development, an unofficial high level advisory body approved to be established by the State Council, held its Inaugural Meeting in Beijing from April 21 to 23, 1992.
1. A Brief Account of the Meeting
Present at the meeting were 43 members of the Council, among whom 24 were Chines e members and 19 international members. All are senior people in their respective fields and have rich experience and extensive and extensive knowledge. Also invited especially to attend the meeting were representatives of 7 international organizations, such as UNESCO, The Ford Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, etc., and leading members of Shanghai city and Hainan Province.
Vice-Premier Wu Xueqian presided over the Opening Ceremony and made a speech. Nominated by the Vice-Premier, Dr. Song Jian, State Councillor, Chairman of the Environmental Protection Commission under the State Council, Chairman of the State Science and Technology Commission was elected to be the first Chairman. Nominated by Dr. Song Jian, Dr. Qu Geping, Administrator of National Environmental Protection Agency, Mr. Gu Ming, Vice-chairman of the Legal Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress and Dr. Marcel Massé, President of Canadian International Development Agency were elected to be Vice-chairmen.
The Chinese Government has attached great importance to the establishment of the Council. During the Inaugural Meeting, Premier Li Peng met with the representatives and made an important speech, in which he expressed his belief that the Council, by drawing on collective wisdom and absorbing all useful ideas, and putting forward recommendations and suggestions, will help make China more scientific and democratic in its decision making and improve the integrated development of the country's economy and environment.
The representatives at the meeting came to the agreement that it is a very timely decision made by the Chinese Government to establish the Council at this crucial moment when the whole world is faced with environment and development problems. The move demonstrates the sincerity and determination of the Chinese Government in unswervingly carrying out the reform and open policy as well as in seeking more extensive international cooperation to solve the China's environment and development problems. The Council is ready to contribute its wisdom and experience in this respect. The suggestion, s recommendations and conclusions made by the Council will promote the scientific decision making of the Chinese Government and the harmonious development of environment and development. Meanwhile, this new model of international cooperation is of some exemplary significance, which will further benefit mutual learning and exchange in the field of environment and development.
2. Main Results
The meeting successfully covered all the fixed items on the agenda, having adopt ed the Terms of Reference, the Rules of Procedure and reviewed the Financial Rep ort and Budget for the period from 1992 to 1993.
At the meeting, candid and thorough discussions were held on such topics as investment in and construction of China's environmental protection, preliminary analysis of the cost caused by environment pollution and the strategic alternatives in the integrated development of China's energy and environment, with consensus being reached in many respects. Moreover, suggestions and recommendations of practical value were made by representatives on prevention and control of environmental pollution, energy, scientific research, and technology transfer, etc.
Taking into consideration of the future priorities of the Council and based on order of importance as well as the financial situation, the Council has set up 5 Expert Working Groups: Energy Strategy and Technology; Resource Accounting and Pricing Policies; Monitoring, Data Collection and Pollution Control; Scientific Research and Technological Development and Training; and the Protection of Biodiversity, and unanimously approved the nominees for Chinese co-chairmen. The meeting has entrusted the preparation of the establishment of the Working Groups to a number of international members.
Agreement was reached at the meeting on the process of how to decide on the international co-chairmen and members of the Working Groups in accordance with the procedure and methods described in the Rules of Procedure. Decisions were also ma de to set up a Steering Group by the Bureau based on its review of the situation to coordinate the activities of the 5 Working Groups in order that they could operate in a smooth manner, and to bring into harmony the work of various departments. A small Secretariat to the Council is set up within National Environmental Protection Agency to assist the Bureau in handling the daily routine of the Council. The vancouver Support office, an executive body for the management of the Canadian funding of the project, provides international support to the Secretariat. As regards the international preparation and organization, the Ford Foundation and Rockefeller Foundation offered financial assistance to the Council. The Canadian Government decided to donate CDN 5 million to guarantee the Council's activities financially.
3. Suggestions and Recommendations
Discussions at the meeting covered such issues as economic development and environmental protection, both at home and abroad, particularly energy strategy, resource prices, investment in environmental protection, etc. Meanwhile, special attention was given to discussions on issues concerning population, soil erosion an d desertification, conservation of water resources, pollution control and treatment of waste materials, transportation system and policy, China's role in global environmental issues and the importance of scientific research, technology and education. Some constructive suggestions and recommendations were made.
a. A new concept must be formed, i.e. the conservation of the environment should not be a burden on economic development. So long as we adopt correct policies, principles and methods, make the most of related policies and technologies and sciences, we are sure to solve the problems in environmental protection and sustainable development. Moveover, efforts should be made to strengthen the work of publicity and education so that the government and people will be sober-minded in their understanding of, responsible in their attitude toward and conscientious in their action concerning the issue under consideration.
b. China's energy structure and the way of its energy exploitation and utilization are not rational enough, the energy consumption for per unit GNP staying very high and energy efficiency remaining relatively low. It is very likely that Chin a reduces its per unit NGP energy consumption greatly while continuing to increase its GNP, if advanced and suitable technologies are used and technological and economic policies and management policies advantageous for energy saving and energy efficiency are formulated. This will help to improve China's environment.
c. Strengthen the integration of policies in the fields of environment and development, set up macro-management mechanisms for coordinated development and further bring into play the enthusiasm of various departments concerned for environmental protection.
d. Institute, as soon as possible, a resource accounting and pricing system, including environment resources, and take into consideration both renewable and non -renewable resources. Only when a set of mechanisms favourable for the rational utilization of natural resources in tax collection and pricing is set up, can it be possible for us to make full use of and renew our limited resources.
e. Serious environmental problems, such as land degradation, water pollution, etc., exist in China's agricultural production and township enterprises, casting a direct impact on the agro-ecological basis. To solve this problem, it is not feasible at present to depend solely on new and high technology in the rural areas. Only by combining hi-tech with traditional agricultural technology and by a rational and scientific organization, can we make the rural economy achieve sustainable development while conserving and improving the rural agro-ecological environment.
Discussions were also held on the possibility of future cooperation and on follow-up actions. In principle, the Council will meet once a year to study the achievement reports of the Expert Working Groups and decide on new goals. Efforts will be made to achieve new success and progress. It is decided that the second meeting of the Council will be held in Hangzhou city from May 3rd to 5th, 1993. Following the Council session, all members are to return to Beijing for a further 2 days for high level discussion with the Chinese Government.
Throughout the meeting, open and frank exchanges and discussions on a number of major environmental issues were carried out in a most friendly and pleasant atmosphere. The Council members came to the same view that the cooperation is sure to become successful so long as we work in the spirit of sincerity and make combined effort.