Project Scope and Relationship to China's Agenda 21

This project seeks to further the sustainable development of Benxi - a city so polluted by heavy industry that it was once invisible in satellite photographs - through a strategy emphasizing clean production, transition to supporting industries based on renewable natural resources, advanced pollution control methods and ecosystem protection. The project is based on the sustainable development and capacity building objectives of programme area 6B of China's Agenda 21, and will contribute to a number of related fields including atmospheric protection of the atmosphere; conservation of land, water, energy and biodiversity resources; improvement of human settlements; and sustainable development of industry (programme areas 10C, 12B, 14E, 15A, 16B, and 18A).

1. Background

Benxi City, located in the eastern area of Liaoning Province, is a leading centre for heavy industry in China, with emphasis on iron and steel, cement and coal. It is an important provider of water resources to industry, agriculture and urban residents throughout the lower reaches of the Taizi River, and its eastern mountain regions function as "green natural barriers" for the central Liaoning Province.

As a major industrial centre, Benxi is also battling a serious pollution problem, particularly with respect to sulphur dioxide and total suspended particulate. In the early 1980s, world environmental organizations claimed that Benxi was "an invisible city," so shrouded in a cloud of pollution that it could not be viewed by satellite. The city's reliance on heavy industry has also slowed the development of subsequent industries and adversely affected Benxi's economic development.

The environment of the nearby mountainous region of Eastern Liaoning Province has also suffered acute damage. Destruction of the natural ecosystem has led to serious soil erosion and water loss totalling about 6 million tons per year, as well as a vicious cycle of alternating floods and drought every two years. In 1960, for example, floods destroyed over 530 ha. of farmland, stopped production at more than 30 enterprises, and caused over US $15 million in direct economic losses. Conversely, the 1985 drought severely affected the harvest in over 8660 ha. of farmland and nearly cut off the Taizi River urban water supply.

Serious work to control these environmental problems began in the 1980s. After visits to the region by senior government officials, the central government approved a special pollution control fund and adopted a number of related resolutions and plans. Research was performed on the urban atmosphere and water environmental capabilities, and the 8th Five-Year Plan included a key research project on the restoration of Benxi's urban environment. Wide ranging relations have been established with domestic and international academic institutes.

Some progress has also been made to restore the natural environment of the eastern mountain regions. In some small valleys, forest coverage has risen to over 60%, soil erosion and water loss has been controlled in 0.2 million ha. of land, and the frequency of flooding has been reduced to once every 50-100 years. The central government has confirmed these results and extended them to similar areas nationwide.

Despite these accomplishments, Benxi continues to be plagued by severe pollution, sluggish economic development and degradation of nearby ecosystems. China is now seeking international support for a long-term sustainable development strategy emphasizing cleaner production, transition to supporting industries based on recyclable natural resources, advanced pollution control strategies and ecosystem protection. The results of such a project could not only benefit Liaoning Province but also serve as a model for other seriously polluted cities.

2. Objectives

• Long-term Objectives
  • To promote the sustainable development of Benxi and the eastern mountain regions of Liaoning Province. Provide a model for industrial transformation and environmental improvements in other centres of heavy industry suffering from serious pollution.

• Immediate Objectives
  • Develop strategies, plans and measures for the sustainable development of Benxi.
  • Adopt clean production technologies for major heavy industries.
  • Adjust the industrial structure of Benxi by establishing new supporting industries based on recyclable resources. Increase the output of such industries from the current 5 to 20%.
  • Bring ambient air quality into compliance with applicable standards, control water pollution and establish a system for recycling solid wastes.
  • Restore the environment of the eastern mountainous regions.

• 3.1 Develop strategies, plans and measures for the sustainable development of Benxi.
  • Obtain information about related research on sustainable development in other countries.
  • Study the evolution of laws regarding the complex relationships between economy, society and the environment.
  • Develop and verify an index system for the sustainable development of Benxi.
  • Adopt a program and measures for the sustainable development of Benxi.

    The duration of this activity will be two years.

• 3.2 Formulate and implement a developmental model for transforming the outmoded production methods of heavy industry into cleaner ones with higher efficiency and lower consumption.
  • Adopt plans to transform the outmoded production methods of traditional heavy industries into clean ones with lower input and higher output.
  • Select several major enterprises to apply key technology and equipment from foreign and domestic industries.

    The duration of this activity will be six years.

• 3.3 Adjust the industrial and product structure to establish gradually new supporting industries based on recyclable natural resources.
  • Establish production and processing bases for ox, cashmere goats, hawthorns, mountainous wild vegetables, fragrant rice, stock potato and improved crop breeds.
  • Create centres for producing enzymatic preparations and cultivating edible mushrooms.
  • Establish centres for cultivating Chinese herbs.
  • Set up areas for breeding trout, producing non staple foods, cultivating genetic hybrids and producing green foods.

    The duration of this activity will be six years.

• 3.4 Improve the control and management of environmental pollution.
  • Control low level atmospheric pollution sources through clean energy technology and pollution control technology.
  • Establish a pilot project for the licensing of emission sources for atmospheric pollutants.
  • Utilize dust removal and desulphurization methods at major pollution sources.
  • Adopt technologies for resource recovery of industrial solid wastes.

    The duration of this activity will be six years.

• 3.5 Restore the natural environment of 7 river valleys in the eastern mountainous region, totalling 2,100 km2.
  • Plant over 6,660 ha. of green belts for the purpose of water and soil conservation, water resource conservation and protection of embankments.
  • Transform over 13,330 ha. of secondary forests into mixed forests by planting coniferous and broadleaf trees.
  • Restore over 6,660 ha. of barren mountains with greenery.
  • Build 10 reservoirs and 10 energy-efficient hydro power stations to add over 3 billion m3 of water storage capacity and over 10 million kW of generating capacity.
  • Establish one sustainable agriculture school and several cleaner production training centres.
  • Establish conservation centres for endangered plant and animal species in the Laotuding Natural Reserve.

    The duration of this activity will be six years. The implement agencies of project will be the State Economic and Trade Commission, the State Science and Technology Commission, and local government.

5. Benefits

By the year 2000, this project should greatly improve the environmental quality of Benxi, the "invisible city" through the development of cleaner production methods, new supporting industries based on renewable natural resources, and advanced pollution control methods. The project will also restore the natural environment of the eastern mountainous regions. The results of the project can provide useful experiences for the sustainable development of other serious polluted areas of heavy industry.