China to Invest $175 Billion For Better Environmental Protection

Date: July 18, 2006

Source: US Department of Commerce

China's State Development and Reform Commission's Environment Department expects to spend $175 billion (or 1.5 percent of GDP) on environmental protection in the next five years. In elaborating on its 11th Five Year Plan for the years 2006 to 2010, the Commission said it plans to spend money on water pollution control, improving the air quality in cities, disposing solid waste, harnessing soil erosion and improving the rural environment. The improvements cannot come fast enough. According to the World Bank, China's environmental problems stem from a deteriorating natural resource base, dense population, heavy reliance on soft coal, outmoded technology, under-priced water and energy, and breakneck industrial growth. All of which costs the economy 8 percent of GDP. According to China's estimates, environmental protection will top $110 billion dollars by the end of 2010.

More information: www.buyusa.gov/china/en/environmental.html.

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