Issue 23, August 27th to September 3rd, 2009

OPINION

Dam It! China’s hydro sector takes advantage of weak environmental protection (Energy Tribune, 9/2/2009) In 2008, China’s Environmental Protection Ministry made an unprecedented move: it halted two giant hydroelectric projects.

Getting the lead out and saving kid’s lives (Shanghai Daily, 9/2/2009) Unlike most parents, Pan Xiaoxia dreads watching her 12-year-old start the new semester.


Taking the toad’s-eye view (chinadialogue, 9/2/2009) Dipak Gyawali, former water minister of Nepal, explains how to approach Himalayan climate-change science from the grass-roots level. Interview by Isabel Hilton.

Dongtan: The eco-city that never was (Spiked, 9/1/2009) It was nice while it lasted, but now, it seems, the dream is over. The long-awaited, much-feted eco-city of Dongtan – described by environmental campaigner, Herbert Girardet as ‘the world’s first eco-city’ – has bitten the dust. After four years of presentations, proposals and puff, the universal praise has proven to be a little premature.

China eating our lunch in solar-panel marketplace (Union-Tribune, 8/30/2009) The idea that we can re-industrialize the country through solar panels has a hurdle that should have been foreseen: China.

PUBLIC SECTOR/NGOs

Further anti-pollution riots break out in China (Guardian, 9/2/2009) Riots continue as China's pollution controls fail keep up with economic development as China's minister acknowledges that 'environmental quality is not satisfactory’.

China resolves pollution case, avoids suit (Washington Times, 9/2/2009) China's environmental movement Tuesday scored a victory that could set a precedent for public-interest lawsuits in a nation that has become the poster child for industrial pollution.

Study: 1.6 billion face water, food threat in Asia (AP, 9/2/2009) Effects of climate change including the melting of Himalayan glaciers threaten water and food security for more than 1.6 billion people living in South Asia, according to a study released Wednesday.

Air pollution reducing ‘good’ rains in China: study (AFP, 9/1/2009) Air pollution has over the past 50 years led to a reduction of the light rainfall in China essential for the country's agriculture and water resources, a Chinese researcher said Monday.

Lightning kills; rain too late to save crops (China Daily, 8/31/2009) Nineteen people have died in storms and lightning strikes in southern China, while rainfall is forecast for drought-ravaged northern provinces this week.

RM award for China’s water guardians (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 8/30/2009) Two Chinese activists who have literally immersed themselves in turbulent waters are among this year’s six Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation awardees.

Shanghai residents protest train line construction (CBS News, 8/27/2009) Construction of a high-speed rail link between Shanghai and the nearby city of Hangzhou is raising protests among residents who say the trains will run too close to their apartments _ the latest hiccup in the long-debated project.

CORPORATIONS

Airport’s shooting of endangered birds arouses controversy (Xinhua, 9/3/2009) To shoot or not to shoot; that is a question for a Chinese airport using live ammunition to prevent birds from endangering aircraft safety.

Inner Mongolian coal mine conserves energy with German technology (China CSR, 9/3/2009) The Shenhua Beidian Shengli Energy Company in Inner Mongolia has adopted technology from the German-based Wirtgen Group which it expects will make large savings in the fuel consumption and the corresponding greenhouse gas emissions associated with open caste coal mining.

Chinese solar energy industry has an optimistic outlook (China Research and Intelligence, 9/3/2009) China is rich in solar energy and the theory storage volumes are 1.7 trillion tons of standard coal annually. There are huge potentials on the development and exploration of solar energy.

ADB to lend 200 Mln USD for China’s Waste-to-Energy projects (Xinhua, 9/3/2009) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Thursday it would lend 200 million U.S. dollars to China to help develop waste-to-energy plants.

China Advanced Construction Materials Group Awarded Two New Contracts for XiangGui Railway Totaling $3.9 Million (PRNewswire, 9/2/2009) China Advanced Construction Materials Group, Inc. ("China ACM") (OTC Bulletin Board: CADC), a leading provider of ready-mix concrete and related services in China, today announced that it has been awarded two contracts totaling $3.9 million to provide concrete manufacturing services for two sections of the XiangGui railway construction project.

China considers rare-earth reserve in Inner Mongolia (Bloomberg, 9/2/2009) China, holder of the world’s largest rare-earths deposits, may build a strategic reserve in Inner Mongolia, strengthening its control over materials used in technology ranging from iPods to guided missiles.

Construction begins on China’s first large-scale coal-gas project (CCTV, 9/1/2009) On August 30, construction on China's first large-scale coal-gas demonstration project began in Inner Mongolia. Once it is completed in 2012, it will provide four billion cubic meters of natural gas to Beijing each year, and become Beijing's second largest source of natural gas, thus guaranteeing the security of the capital's energy supplies.

China manufacturing grows at fastest rate in 16 months (AFP, 9/1/2009) China's manufacturing activity expanded in August at its fastest pace in 16 months, two surveys released Tuesday showed, signaling the world's third largest economy is stabilizing.

China Shenhua to build coal resevers in Fuzhou – paper (Reuters, 8/31/2009) China's top coal miner, Shenhua Group Corp, plans to build coal strategic reserves, deep-water berths, and power generation projects in the southeastern city of Fuzhou, the city's official paper reported.

PetroChina to build more oil depots (People’s Daily, 8/31/2009) Oil giant PetroChina plans to build 66 refined oil reserve depots this year. The move is part of its efforts to meet the overwhelming oil demand of the Chinese domestic market.

Poisonous gas in mine kills 15 in China (AP, 8/30/2009) Chinese state media say 15 miners have died after inhaling poisonous gas at a graphite mine.

Large solar power program starts in Central China (Xinhua, 8/30/2009) Construction of a large solar power project with an investment of 450 million U.S. dollars was launched Saturday in Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province in central China.

China Sunergy Co., Ltd. Q2 2009 Earnings Call Transcript (Seeking Alpha, 8/27/2009) Thank you and welcome to China Sunergy's second quarter 2009 conference call. Before we continue, please note that the discussion today will include forward-looking statements made under the Safe Harbor provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

GOVERNMENT

China tries to calm unease over rare earth curbs (AP, 9/3/2009) A Chinese official tried to calm unease about curbs on exports of rare earths used in clean energy products and superconductors, saying Thursday that sales will continue but must be limited to reduce damage to China's environment.

China calls for action to stop lead poisoning (Reuters, 9/3/2009) China's environmental protection minister has called for more effective measures to tackle heavy metal poisoning after a surge in reported cases of children being poisoned by lead, state media said on Thursday.

China approves H1N1 vaccine (Wall Street Journal, 9/3/2009) China's drug regulator approved commercial production of the country's first H1N1 swine-flu vaccine, as global pharmaceutical companies and health officials rush to prepare for a predicted surge in infections in coming months.

China still wary about industry CO2 cuts – officials (Reuters, 9/3/2009) China might be warming to EU proposals aimed at imposing CO2 targets on its industries as part of a new climate change deal, but the two sides remain a long way from agreement, officials said at a meeting in Beijing.

China detains 14 parents for lead poison unrest (AP, 9/2/2009) Police in central China detained 15 parents for a violent protest over factory pollution that left hundreds of local children with lead poisoning, and accused them of links to the banned Falun Gong spiritual movement, villagers said Wednesday.

China plans moat around Beijing: media (AFP, 9/2/2009) China plans to create a "moat" around Beijing for its National Day festivities on October 1 as part of a massive security crackdown ahead of the sensitive anniversary, state media said Wednesday.


China plans Asia’s largest ski resort in far west (M&C, 9/2/2009) China's far western region of Xinjiang plans to build Asia's largest ski resort to boost tourism in the remote Kansas area, state media said Wednesday.

Environmental protection facing “stern reality”: minister (Xinhua, 9/2/2009) China's environmental protection was lagging behind economic development and was now facing "stern reality," said the country's top environment official.

China’s ban on scrap polysilicon imports divides solar industry (BusinessGreen, 9/1/2009) China's recently imposed ban on imports of scrap polysilicon – a waste material that can be used to make solar wafers and panels – has closed off a market for overseas chipmakers but may prove a boon to domestic firms, according to industry insiders.

Violent protests in China over sewage plant smell (AP, 9/1/2009) Protests drawing up to 10,000 people flared in eastern China over a powerful stench from a sewage treatment plant with 10 people hurt in clashes, residents and a human rights monitor said Tuesday.

Five southwest districts to jointly develop ecotourism (CCTV, 9/1/2009) "Within five to ten years, five districts in southwestern Beijing will combine their unique resources to develop a distinctive ecotourism program and join hands together to build 'one region, one district, three sections.'"

China gradually improves environmental transparency (Worldwatch Institute, 8/31/2009) The measure has been implemented for a year, and cities across China are slowly becoming more forthright with environmental information, according to a study by U.S. and Chinese environmental groups.

South Asian nations meet to combat climate threat to Himalayas (Bloomberg, 8/31/2009) South Asian nations are discussing how to prevent climate change in the Himalayan mountains, the world’s highest range, bringing more natural disasters to an area where 750 million people regularly face floods and drought.

Beijing kicks off renewable resources recycling day (ChinaCSR, 8/31/2009) Starting from August 2009, Beijing has made the last Saturday of each month Renewable Resources Recycling Day.

Taking the Pulse: The one-year anniversary of China’s open government information measures (Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, 8/31/2009) The first of May 2009 marked the one-year anniversary of the State Council’s promulgation of China’s first Open Government Information regulations (OGI). Hailed as a milestone in furthering government transparency, the State Council’s prioritization of OGI potentially expands China’s nascent legal framework by helping to institutionalize a legitimate channel for citizens to request information from the government.

Regulation targets pollution from crematoriums (Xinhua, 8/29/2009) China is to adopt a new control regulation which will require most of the country's crematoriums to upgrade incinerators to control pollution, a Chinese newspaper reported Saturday.

India, China to join hands on studying climate change in Tibet (Sindh Today, 8/29/2009) India and China will jointly conduct research on the impact of climate change on the glaciers in the Himalayan and Tibetan regions, Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said here Saturday.

China exclusive: Dezhou highlights proactive energy efficiency (People’s Daily, 8/27/2009) Here a State-level pilot energy-efficient building project has been under construction since January. The first four of 12 apartment buildings, each either 12 or 15 floors, will be handed over to buyers in June next year, said Cheng Muwen, deputy director of the city's development and reform commission.

Issue 22, August 20th to August 27th, 2009

OPINION

Viewpoint: Why China could turn green (Time, 8/27/2009) If you want to visit the front line of China's environmental struggle, there are lots of places to choose from. You could drop in on Changqing, in northwestern Shaanxi province, where on Aug. 17 hundreds of people stormed a smelting plant blamed for toxic emissions that left more than 850 children with lead poisoning. Or there's Wenping, in central Hunan province, where days later 1,300 children were found to have been sickened by pollution from a manganese factory.

Do we know change when we see it? (China Dialogue, 8/27/2009) An agreement between the US and China on climate change and clean energy may be more significant than its detractors initially supposed, write Banning Garrett and Jonathan Adams.

Disaster wreaks changes to China, Taiwan, US ties (New Straits Times, 8/27/2009) The natural disaster also revealed changes in the geostrategic landscape. The United States sent military transport planes from Okinawa carrying relief supplies to Taiwan as well as heavy-lift helicopters that ferried excavation equipment into remote areas where roads and bridges had been damaged or washed away.

World faces hi-tech crunch as China eyes ban on rare metal exports (Telegraph, 8/24/2009) Beijing is drawing up plans to prohibit or restrict exports of rare earth metals that are produced only in China and play a vital role in cutting edge technology, from hybrid cars and catalytic converters, to superconductors, and precision-guided weapons.

TV interview on “Foreign Exchange” with Daljit Dhaliwal (The Green Leap Forward, 8/22/2009) Here’s a 7 minute television interview I did with the US television foreign policy program “Foreign Affairs”, discussing China’s clean energy policies.

Stiff jail term for polluting boss is the right decision (Shanghai Daily, 8/20/2009) My hat's off to the judges of Yancheng City who have sentenced the boss of a chemical factory to 11 years in prison on charges of knowingly poisoning local drinking waters.

PUBLIC SECTOR/NGOs

A new atmospheric villain (Caijing, 8/26/2009) Unfortunately, China's reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions hasn't brought about a corresponding decrease in the potency of acid rain. This is likely due to rising levels of nitrogen oxides, a class of chemical pollutants that were not addressed in the emissions reduction plan.

Q&A: China’s pressing pollution problem (Reuters, 8/24/2009) Here are some questions and answers about pollution problems in China, the world's most populous nation.

Lead victims get relocation choice (Shanghai Daily, 8/22/2009) Authorities in northwest China's Shaanxi Province yesterday asked for public comments on relocation proposals, in the wake of the scandal of 851 children poisoned by heavy-metal discharges from a smelter.

The Climate Group preaches revolution (China Environmental Law Blog, 8/21/2009) The Climate Group launched its second homage to China’s low carbon efforts yesterday, “China’s Clean Revolution II : Opportunities for a low carbon future.”

CORPORATIONS

China Sunergy 2Q profit falls 43 percent, beats Street (AP, 8/27/2009) Solar-cell maker China Sunergy Co. Ltd. on Thursday said its second-quarter profit fell 43 percent but stronger shipments pushed results beyond analyst expectations. The China-based company held to its previous shipment outlook.

Carbon emissions trading to become China’s new financial product (People’s Daily, 8/27/2009) Carbon emission trading will become a new financial product and be traded on China's exchanges, said Mei Dewen, general manager of China Beijing Environmental Exchange (CBEE) on August 26.

Sector update: Steel (liveMint.com, 8/27/2009) China has again turned to be a net steel exporter from being a net steel importer. This is a potential threat for the global steel industry, as China is seen as one of the key demand drivers for the steel industry globally.

China closes lead smelters and the price rises (Metal Miner, 8/27/2009) As a follow on from our article this week on metal poisoning in China, it is interesting to note that the London Metal Exchange lead price has surged 7.9% to $2,023 per metric ton, it’s highest level since September 2008, on news that China has responded to local unrest over the poisoning and closed lead smelters. According to the FT, Henan province has closed a third of its lead smelters.

Business park seeks industry/ecology balance (China Daily, 8/26/2009) A rare blend of commerce and conservation, the Qingdao Tonghe Ecological Industrial Park is set to blur the boundaries between economic imperatives and environmental responsibility. Located in the eastern province of Shandong, the park seeks to combine apparently contradictory concerns.

China’s lead scandals to spur industry mergers, Macquarie says (Bloomberg News, 8/27/2009) Lead poisoning cases in China, the world’s largest producer of the metal, may foreshadow mergers among smelters as the government cracks down on polluting producers, an analyst at Macquarie Group Ltd. said.

Chinese solar firm revises price remark (New York Times, 8/26/2009) The chief executive of the biggest Chinese solar panel maker on Wednesday reversed a statement that his company was selling below marginal cost in the United States, while a leading solar company in Germany has begun calling for a “Buy European” rule.

China Energy Recovery wins strong support from local government for its new manufacturing plant ( PRNewswire-Asia, 8/25/2009) After months of site searching, CER has reached the major terms for the building site of its new manufacturing plant, which is located in an industrial park in Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province that is along the Yangtze River and close to Shanghai.

China’s Shandong Steel closes in on Rizhao (Financial Times, 8/25/2009) A hostile takeover of one of China’s largest non-state steel groups by a state-owned competitor could be finalised as early as next week in a deal that has heightened concerns about creeping renationalisation.

Honeywell signs energy conservation MOUs with Chongqing (ChinaCSR, 8/24/2009) Honeywell and a delegation to the United States consisting of government officials and enterprise representatives from Chongqing have signed two memoranda of understanding on energy saving and emission reduction.

China Henan shuts up to 240,000 lead capacity (Reuters, 8/24/2009) China's Henan, the top refined lead producing province in the country, has shut down up to 240,000 tonne of annual lead smelting capacity in recent days after lead poisoning was reported to have affected hundreds of children in Shaanxi province, smelter officials said on Monday.

GOVERNMENT

Ban on scrap polysilicon to boost China solar sector (Reuters, 8/27/2009) A Chinese ban on imports of a waste material used for solar wafers may be bad news for foreign competitors but it is a big boost to China's solar sector.

India, China to collaborate on environment (The Hindu, 8/27/2009) India and China have agreed to set up a joint expert working group on the environment, which will explore how the two countries can combat global warming through reforestation.

China closer to huge gas deal (Xinhua, 8/27/2009) Australia gave final approval yesterday for development of a natural gas field that will export an estimated 41 billion U.S. dollars in energy to China over 20 years.

China boosts pandemic surveillance (Nature News, 8/27/2009) China is stepping up disease surveillance, drug stockpiling and vaccine development as fear of a second wave of pandemic influenza H1N1 intensifies.

Jail, fines for lake polluters to stand (Shanghai Daily, 8/27/2009) A final appeal court yesterday upheld the penalties to fine a firm in southwest China 16 million yuan (US$2.34 million) and jail three of its executives for polluting a major freshwater lake.

India on tiger hunt on China (Asia Times, 8/27/2009) Indian Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh - the new United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government's first minister to visit China - is on a four-day trip to Beijing this week for bilateral talks on an array of ecological issues.

China cooperates with developing nations to address climate change, bilateral trade (Xinhua, 8/27/2009) China is seeking to step up cooperation with other developing nations including Mexico to address climate change while maintaining economic growth, Chinese Ambassador to Mexico told an audience at a university here Wednesday.

Climate change law to bring teeth to emissions mandates (China Daily, 8/26/2009) China's proposed climate change legislation will give the country more negotiating power in the upcoming international climate change treaty talks, and also make emissions control mandated by law, environmental experts say.

China builds sewage treatment plants among Songhua River (Xinhua, 8/26/2009) Northeast China's Jilin Province will have sewage treatment plants in all 36 counties along the Songhua River by the end of next year, environment authorities said Wednesday.

China moves to address overcapacity in emerging sectors like wind power (Xinhua, 8/26/2009) China's State Council, the Cabinet, warned Wednesday of overcapacity in emerging sectors such as wind power, saying the country would move to "guide" development troubled by overcapacity and redundant projects.

China vows to curb steel, cement, wind, silicon glut (Reuters, 8/26/2009) China's state council, the cabinet, said on Wednesday that it would restrict licences for steel and cement production to clamp down on overcapacity.

China plastic bag ban cuts 3 million tons of oil consumption (Bloomberg News, 8/26/2009) China, the world’s second-biggest energy consumer, may save as much as 3 million metric tons of oil a year by banning retailers from providing free plastic bags to shoppers, said the nation’s top economic planning agency.

China expert urges Africa to embrace agroforestry to sustain livelihood (Xinhua, 8/25/2009) A Chinese expert on Monday called on African countries to encourage small-scale farmers to embrace agroforestry policies to sustain environments and livelihoods.

China plans for renewable energy (China Daily, 8/25/2009) China's top legislature yesterday turned its attention to the creation of specific plans for more renewable energy, such as nuclear, wind and solar power.

Radiation concerns eased in Henan (China Daily, 8/25/2009) After radiation machinery in a factory in Qi county of Central China's Henan province, was repaired, Ye Min, vice director of the Safety Division of the Ministry of Environmental Protection has declared the area safe, reported Xinhua Monday.

Lawmakers warn of epidemic animal disease threats in China (Xinhua, 8/25/2009) Chinese lawmakers warned Tuesday of a "grave hidden peril" of epidemic animal disease because of inadequate monitoring facilities and a complex international environment.

U.S. state of California plans energy-saving cooperation with Chinese provinces (Xinhua, 8/25/2009) The U.S. state of California is planning to cooperate with some Chinese provinces in energy saving projects, a senior state government official said here on Monday.

China resettles 50,000 herdsmen to protect environment of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (Xinhua, 8/24/2009) Almost 50,000 herdsmen have bidden farewell to nomadic life and settled down in brick houses on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China during the past four years in a drive to protect the environment of a well-known nature reserve.

China considering renewable energy development fund (Xinhua, 8/24/2009) Chinese lawmakers are considering a government fund for renewable energy development, in a move to support the industry and strengthen governmental macro-economic regulation.

Gritty Chinese city seeks to shed “spitting” image (AP, 8/24/2009) Government-backed neighborhood groups are going door-to-door in south China's gritty business capital with a set of simple requests: Please stop spitting in public, cutting in bus lines and talking loudly in the streets.

Obama to visit China in November, focus on environment, energy (Bloomberg News, 8/22/2009) President Barack Obama will make his first official visit to China in November, seeking to foster collaboration on the environment, renewable energy and regional security, the new U.S. ambassador to China said.

WHO urges China to share swine flue vaccine (AFP, 8/22/2009) With a likely "explosion" of swine flu in the coming months, a leading WHO official has urged China to distribute vaccines to needy nations to help contain the disease.

Blair lauds China on climate change (Shanghai Daily, 8/21/2009) Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said yesterday in Beijing that China had made great progress in fighting climate change, and called for more international cooperation on the issue.


China backs down over PepsiCo, Coca-Cola pollution claims (AFP, 8/21/2009) China backed down Thursday on accusations that US soft drink giants PepsiCo and Coca-Cola are major water polluters after the companies rejected their inclusion on an environmental watch list.

Issue 21, August 13th to August 20th, 2009

OPINION

The dangers of boosting consumption (China Dialogue, 8/20/2009) China’s government and the domestic market are calling for greater spending. Economic growth may be maintained, writes Huo Weiya, but US-style living may mean we need another two Earths.

China repeats U.S. energy policy mistakes (Seeking Alpha, 8/20/2009) The point here is that China appears headed to duplicate America’s love affair with the gasoline powered automobile and its addiction to foreign oil. For a country with 1.3 billion people (1 billion more than the U.S.) the worldwide impact of Chinese automobile use is not hard to predict: Chinese oil imports will continue to surge and oil supplies around the world will tighten in the very near future.

Will China drown in its own effluent before taking over the world? (Telegraph, 8/20/2009) The lead poisonings remind us that China is immense and has huge challenges to meet in the next few years, even while its growth outstrips mature economies. As Peter Foster points out, China’s newfound green credentials are far from clear, and it is currently showing signs that it will be an awkward customer at the climate discussions in Copenhagen in December.

The great paradox of China: Green energy and black skies (Yale Environment 360, 8/17/2009) China is on its way to becoming the world’s largest producer of renewable energy, yet it remains one of the most polluted countries on earth. A year after the Beijing Olympics, economic and political forces are combining to make China simultaneously a leader in alternative energy – and in dirty water and air.

PUBLIC SECTOR/NGOs

Hopes of Hubei relocated for water project (Xinhua, 8/20/2009) 75 families, including Zhou's, were moved from three villages in Danjiangkou, a city in Hubei Province, to make way for construction of the central route of the South-to-North water diversion project.

China’s ‘cancer villages’ heavily polluted (Ethiopian Review, 8/19/2009) Located just downstream from three steel factories, a paper mill and a bone-processing plant, the citizens of Xiadian have grown used to seeing the Baoqiu River turn red, yellow and sometimes white from what they say is untreated industrial wastewater.

Is China on track for suburban sprawl? (New York Times, 8/18/2009) Beijing's transit development is at a crossroads. The capital of the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases is in danger of locking itself into a pattern of Los Angeles-type sprawl with ever-rising CO2 emissions, a new World Bank study finds.

The Renewable Landscape: A look at clean energy in Asia (Reuters, 8/19/2009) Asia, however, has recognized the advantages of embracing clean energy development and the race for clean energy dominance is heating up faster than the planet. Here's a look at the development of clean energy technology in the some of the world's developing Asian economies.

China moves to “go green” (People’s Daily, 8/18/2009) Recently, the US-based National Geographic Society released a "Greendex 2009: Consumer Choice and the Environment — A Worldwide Tracking Survey" report. To the surprise of many people, the US ranked last in the Greendex survey, which covers 17 developed and developing countries, with Canada in the penultimate spot. China, which has been labeled a "big environmental polluter" by the West, ranked third.

China’s heritage sites in danger (Huffington Post, 8/17/2009) The total budget of conservation fund from the central government in 2008 was 31.2 billion Yuan. This seemingly large amount is split between more than 1,200 national level sites and the more than 1,000 museums (for both site and artifact conservation), not to mention the numerous provincial and municipality level sites, historical cities, towns, and villages that are left out of the budget.

Qinghai-Tibet plateau warming will bring serious problems, Experts warn (Xinhua, 8/17/2009) The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is growing warmer and experts warn, if the trend continues, it will cause environmental deterioration and water shortages.

Scant rainfall in east China tied to pollution (AP, 8/16/2009) Air pollution in China's industrial east appears to have significantly reduced light rainfall over the last 50 years, raising the possibility that cutting pollution could ease a severe drought in the region, according to a study released Saturday.

CORPORATIONS

PepsiCo, Coca-Cola reject Beijing environmental watch list (AP, 8/20/2009) US soft drink giants PepsiCo and Coca-Cola on Thursday rejected their inclusion on an environmental watch list published by the Beijing city government, saying their plants abided by Chinese standards.

China Carbon reduces $4M Intercompany contribution and reports 10Q results for three and six months ended June 30, 2009 (CNN, 8/20/2009) China Carbon Graphite Group, Inc. (OTCBB:CHGI), one of China's largest producers and wholesale suppliers of fine grain and high purity graphite, announced that it received the government's approval to reduce the registered capital of its subsidiary from $4,000,000 to $100,000, which reduces the Company's obligation to make a capital contribution to its subsidiary from $4,000,000 to $100,000.

Enviro to drill more coal seam gas wells in China (Reuters, 8/20/2009) Enviro Energy International Holdings, plans to drill up to five wells of coal-bed methane/shale gas in Western China this year, and five more in 2010, a top company official said on Thursday.

Will China light a fire under coal? (Wall Street Journal, 8/20/2009) China's status as a coal exporter is slipping away, and with it another layer of the country's energy security blanket.

Shipping firms given break from spills (China Daily, 8/20/2009) Shipping companies could be forced to take out insurance against pollution spills under a draft law under debate in the largest city in China.

13 cement producers to move out of Beijing (CCTV, 8/20/2009) Beijing is eliminating a number of small-scale cement companies that are marked by heavy-pollution, high-energy and high-water consumption. At the kickoff ceremony of “China Cement Industry Promotion Program” on August 16, Beijing Cement Industry Association Secretary Hu Zhongjia said Beijing will retain only about 10 large-scale cement plants by 2010.

China’s first voluntary carbon standard to release September (AsiaPulse via COMTEX, 8/20/2009) The China Beijing Environment Exchange (CBEEX) will launch China's first Voluntary Carbon Standard during the UN climate conference, to be held in New York from September 21 to 25, 2009.

Analysis: China seeks new iron ore import negotiation mechanism (AsiaPulse via COMTEX, 8/19/2009) The China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) has reached an agreement with Anglo-Australian Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. (ASX:FMG) on a 35.02 per cent price cut for iron ore fines.

Crude oil falls as China equities decline on growth concern (Bloomberg, 8/19/2009) Oil fell as shares in China dropped on concern tighter lending will dampen growth in the world’s second-largest crude consumer.

The good and the bad of the Asian car boom (Environmental Research Web, 8/19/2009) In China, India and South-East Asia the automobile industry hits the sky. The Chinese market is by January 2009 larger than the US market, the Indian Tata Nano is longed for and aspires to revolutionize the global car industry. The environmental degradation and unsustainability of this trend is obvious. But, of course, the Asian car boom doesn’t come from nowhere. So let’s look in detail at the good and the bad of the Asian car boom.

Why Asia will supplant Detroit the global center of the auto industry (Money Morning, 8/19/2009) It’s true that - in terms of value delivered for the money invested - “Cash for Clunkers” has eclipsed every other stimulus program that has been tried. But the program has a projected lifespan of only three months, meaning it can’t reverse the powerful global forces that are destined to turn the U.S. auto market from leader to laggard on the global stage.

China Mobile may bring solar power technology (The News, 8/19/2009) China Mobile Communication Corporation is actively considering introducing solar power technology in Pakistan for electrifying cellular base stations of its subsidiary China Mobile Pakistan. The move comes amid an acute power deficit and prolonged load-shedding in Pakistan.

Protecting China’s natural landmarks (China Daily, 8/17/2009) Lushan Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has long attracted the attention of global scholars and tourists. Now Germany's luxury carmaker, Mercedes-Benz, is providing financial support for conservation projects at the mountain and national park in eastern China's Jiangxi province.

Solar power prices test a downward path (Caijing, 8/14/2009) China's largest photovoltaic solar power project, the 10 megawatt Dunhuang station in Gansu Province, is getting under way with a set price for electricity that may become a new, ultra-low benchmark and a ticket to success for the growing industry.

GOVERNMENT

China approves Tianwan nuclear plan expansion (AFP, 8/20/2009) China has given the green light to a plan to start building the third phase of its Tianwan nuclear power plant on the east coast from October next year, a government agency has announced.

Garrett last bar to Gorgon project (The Australian, 8/20/2009) The welfare of the Barrow Island mouse, the spectacled hare-wallaby, the golden bandicoot and burrowing bettong -- not to mention the flatback turtle -- is all that stands in the way of the $50 billion Gorgon gas contract with China.

China tour to study green cover rise (Express News Service, 8/20/2009) Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests of India, Jairam Ramesh said he would shortly be visiting China to study ways to increase the country’s forest cover.

Chinese-built power plant hailed by Sri Lankan government (Xinhua, 8/20/2009) The Sri Lankan government Thursday hailed the smooth progress of the island's largest coal-fired power plant which is being built by a Chinese company in the northwest of the island.

UNEP praises China’s green efforts (China Daily, 8/19/2009) Shanghai, the host city of Expo 2010, will offer a glimpse of a greener future, Achim Steiner, Under Secretary General of the United Nations, said Tuesday.

China unveils its first EEI rating (ChinaCSR, 8/19/2009) A document titled "Study on the Regional Difference of Ecological Civilization in China", which is said to be the first rating on the ecological civilization of Chinese provinces and cities since the term 'ecological civilization construction' was put forward, has been formally published.

China faces acute water shortage, turns to the sea to solve the problem (Med India, 8/19/2009) China is turning to the sea to solve the growing problem of water shortages afflicting the country and cut utility costs as well, indicates recent reports.

Chinese city aims for greener growth (AFP, 8/19/2009) The mayor of Huizhou, Li Ruqiu, likes to tell a story that he believes highlights the southern Chinese city's environmental credentials. A 4.3 billion dollar petrochemical joint venture between Chinese energy giant CNOOC and Anglo-Dutch firm Shell -- one of the largest ever foreign deals in China -- was halted suddenly when developers found a bird's nest.

China moves on rare earths a threat to global supplies (Mineweb, 8/18/2009) Arafura says that the Chinese draft report, entitled Rare Earths Industry development Plan 2009‐2015, has been submitted to the China State Council for review and implementation in 2010, and outlines plans to restrict Chinese administration of rare earth quotas, totally banning the export of some rare earths and consolidating a large number of Chinese rare earth facilities.

China injects “green power” into national economy (Xinhua, 8/17/2009) In the wake of the outbreak of the financial crisis, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon repeatedly warned that the crisis might dent global efforts to fight climate change and environmental degradation.

China drafting plan for environment industry (Xinhua, 8/16/2009) China's top economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission, said Saturday it is drafting a development plan for the emerging industry of energy conservation and environmental protection.

The world’s first carbon positive city will be in…China? (ABCNews, 8/16/2009) The Mayor of Baoding is on a crusade to make it a hub of renewable energy.

1,200 new cars hit Beijing every day: state media (AFP, 8/16/2009) More than 1,200 new cars hit the roads of China's capital Beijing every day on average in the first seven months of the year, state media reported Sunday.