From The New York Times:
Prime Minister Wen Jiabao conceded Monday that China was failing on important energy and pollution goals and declared that the country must become more energy-efficient and quickly improve environmental protection to safeguard the long-term health of its booming economy…
Mr. Wen described serious structural problems in the country’s economy, but he emphasized that nothing was more important than maintaining the country’s boom, which many experts consider essential to the Communist Party’s continued rule.
Environmental protection and energy conservation have earned an higher profile from government leaders in recent years as it has become evident that China’s economy is devouring its resources and polluting its land and air. The most recent five-year plan calls for a 20 percent reduction in energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product. [Full Text]
Related article: Premier Says China to Focus on the Poor says, “In the countryside, where most Chinese live, spending on agriculture, schools, medical clinics and other programs will rise 15 percent to $51 billion, Wen announced.”
