REFLECTIONS on ENVIRONMENTAL MASS INCIDENTS in CHINA Tong Zhifeng I. Emergence of Environmental Mass Incidents Two Important
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REFLECTIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL MASS INCIDENTS IN CHINA Tong Zhifeng Over the past few years, China has witnessed a large increase in the number of envi- ronmental mass incidents as pollution threatened people’s basic right to life. These mass incidents, more organized than before, showed some new characteristics such as the use of the Internet and cell phones to mobilize protests. Local governments promote economic growth at the expense of the environment, leading to more pollution and thus more environmental mass incidents. A mechanism should be established whereby local governments communicate with the public rather than resorting to force. Key words: mass incidents, public participation, pollution I. Emergence of Environmental Mass Incidents Two important mass incidents in 2007 were peaceful demonstrations against the construction of a $1.4 billion petrochemical factory, also known as the Haicang PX Project in Xiamen City (厦门市), Fujian Province (福建省), and against the planned construction of the Liulitun Waste Incineration Power Plant (六里屯圾焚烧发电厂) in the Liulitun area of Haidian District in Beijing. The two projects were both stopped as the result of the mass protests. Environmental mass incidents have emerged in many places in China recently, especially in the industrialized coastal regions. In 2005, three major mass incidents took place in southeast China’s Zhejiang Province. On April 10, a farmers’ protest against a chemical factory turned to a mass confrontation with police in Dongyang City. On July 15, farmers living near Shenzhou City and Xinchang County clashed with police in protesting against the discharge of toxic waste by local pharmaceutical factories. On August 20, farmers in Changxing County besieged a battery factory protesting against its pollution and clashed with policemen.1 1 Zhang Yulin, “Environment Confl icts in Rural China with the Integration of Governments and Business: A Case Study of the Three ‘Mass incidents’ in Zhejiang 236 tong zhifeng Pan Yue, Vice Minister of the State Environmental Protection Admin- istration (SEPA) observed that 1/4 of the people in China have no access to clean drinking water, and 1/3 are breathing fi lthy air. People become angry when their health is being jeopardized by pollution and deteriorating environmental conditions. According to statistics, the number of mass incidents caused by pollution increased at an annual rate of 29%. In 2005, the total number of confl icts with a more vio- lent nature reached 50,000. The displacement and relocation of up to one million people by 2020 large dam projects in southwest China is a particularly sensitive issue.2 Statistics from State Bureau of Letters and Calls in March 2007 revealed that the bureau’s work focused on petitions concerning fi ve major issues, namely, land expropriation and requisition, relocation for urban construction, environmental protec- tion, restructuring and bankruptcy of state-owned enterprises, and litigation-related issues.3 Yue Huadong, Deputy Mayor of Zibo City, Shandong Province, included pollution as one cause of mass incidents in his article published in the Chinese Cadres Tribune.4 A study by Zhao Shukai showed that the nature and causes of farm- ers’ petitions and mass incidents varied over time. In the mid-1980s, there were few appeals and hardly any mass incidents though farmers were burdened by various taxes and fees. From the late 1980s to the late 1990s, violent mass confrontations emerged in rural areas. Appeals were mainly related to issues such as farmers’ burdens, farmland, corrupt rural offi cials, unfair rural committee elections, and rural education.5 It Province, University Service Center for China Studies, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, http://www.usc.cuhk.edu.hk/wk_wzdetails.asp?id=5920 (accessed March 27, 2007). 2 Pan Yue, “Building an Environmental-Friendly and Harmonious Society,” People’s Daily, http://finance.people.com.cn/GB/1037/4594021.html (accessed July 15, 2006). 3 Xinhua News Agency, “Issues Concerns Five Aspects Gained Public’s Wide Attention and Become Major Issues in Petition Dealing” Xinhua News Agency, http://news.xinhuanet.com/photo/2007-03/28/content_5910384.htm (accessed on March 28, 2007). 4 Yue Donghua, “The Cause of Mass incidents in the Period of Social Transition,” Chinese Cadres Tribune, No. 5 (2007). 5 Zhao Shukai, Sociology Perspective, “Petitions by Chinese Farmers over 25 Years,” Sociology Perspective, http://www.sociologyol.org/yanjiubankuai/fenleisuoyin/fen- zhishehuixue/nongcunshehuixue/2007-10-30/3752.html (accessed on October 30, 2007). .