4-4
Project Scope and Relationship to China's Agenda 21
The project is based on programme areas 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E, and 13B of China's Agenda 21, and related to programme areas 18A and 18C.
In the next 20 years, the annual automotive production output of China will reach 6 million, and the number of automobiles in use will increase to 50 million. With this in mind, China must continue its efforts to keep emission pollution at the lowest possible level in order to make significant progress in protecting the environment.
China's automotive industry is in its infancy. Consequently, its product level does not favourably compare with the international level. Fuel consumption of China's auto products is 10-30 percent higher than comparable products from overseas. The emission of pollutants from automobiles made in China is about 15-20 times greater than comparable foreign vehicles. In China, the average accident death rate is 7.5 times that of overseas countries, calculated according to the number of motor vehicles in use.
The Chinese government began to implement automotive emission standards in 1984. At present, the automotive emission standard formulated with reference to ECER15 is being carried out. It is planned that particulate emission standards for vehicular diesel engines will be issued and implemented by 2000.
Regarding automotive safety, China is just at the initial stage in its technical research capacity. Now, automotive safety standards are formulated with reference to EEC regulations; however, final implementation is not possible due to the lack of equipment for testing and experimental verification.
In order to decrease the energy consumption and emission pollution of China's automotive products, the Chinese government is giving support on the establishment of the joint venture corporation which will produce the electronic control system (EMS) of engines for vehicle use. According to the programme, a production capability of 300 thousand units will be realized in 1996, and it is expected that 1 million units will be sold and applied in the domestic market by the year of 2000.
The United Nations and international financial organizations have paid close attention and given great support to China's automotive industry, particularly for research and development of energy efficiency, emission control, and safety improvement. The projects are as follows:
2. Objectives
3. Activities
The duration of this activity will be four years.
The duration of this activity will be two years.
The duration of this activity will be four years.
The duration of this activity will be six years.
This project is implemented by the Ministry of Machinery Industry (MMI) and the National Environment Protection Agency (NEPA).
5. Benefits
The implementation of this project will give China more scientific and strict standards on vehicle emission, fuel consumption, and safety performance. The project will also greatly increase the ability of the State to monitor the automotive industry, to enhance the fairness and authority of the inspection of vehicles produced by both local and foreign manufacturers, and to help remove artificial international trade barriers. Through this project, energy consumption will be further lowered. For example, a 10 percent savings in fuel consumption would yield savings of 3 million tons of fuel per year, and thus greatly lower the emission of pollutants.
4. Inputs
For more information contact CIESIN User Services: