Greenlaw from NRDC China, NRDC China Program, Beijing

NRDC has been working in China for fifteen years on such issues as climate, energy efficiency, green buildings, clean energy, governance and law, health, and green supply chain issues. This China Environmental News Alert is a weekly compilation of news from around the world on China and the environment.
May 7, 2011- May 13, 2011

China and U.S. agree to six new EcoPartnership agreements
Channel 6 News (May 10, 2011)
The US and China have recently agreed to add six more partners to the EcoPartner program after the third round of the China-US Economic and Strategic Dialogue meeting. Under the agreements, Chinese energy companies will cooperate with their American counterparts in various states across the United States. The program was formally established to encourage progress in clean energy and sustainable development in 2008. 

World Bank supports urban rail development and urban infrastructure improvement in China
The Financial (May 11, 2011)
The World Bank has recently approved two loans to China to help improve transportation, sewage, and water infrastructure in rural parts of Sichuan and Kunming. The Kunming Urban Rail Project, listed at $300 million, will support the construction of a 19.5 km light-rail line in the city of six million. Another $100 million loan has been given to the Sichuan Small Town Development Project, which will finance a wide variety of infrastructure needs to ensure long term sustainability in the region. 

Chinese experts call for safer, more effective nuclear power development
People’s Daily (May 12, 2011)
Experts from the China Nuclear Energy Association have issued statements addressing the need for effective ways in utilizing nuclear power in China, with a heavy emphasis placed on safety regulations and emergency contingency planning. The Chinese government has recently ordered that all existing power plants be subject to extensive safety checks, with new proposed projects having been suspended for the time being. Safety examinations of existing infrastructure will be released later this month. 

China fine-tunes wind turbine industry with new guidelines
Xinhua (May 10, 2011)
A new restructuring of wind turbine industrial guidelines will go into effect as of June 1, setting the industry aside in a separate category designed to exponentially increase growth and progress. Companies and investors will now enjoy preferential economic treatment, including lighter restrictions on new bank loans, tax breaks, and floating shares. The new announcement only applies to large scale capacity turbines, however, with at least a 2.5 mw capacity. This will ensure that the production of outdated turbines will become increasingly filtered out. 

Hong Kong told to revamp air pollution rules
AFP (May 10, 2011)
Increasing public criticism of pollution in Hong Kong has pressured government officials to pass new air quality rules. Hong Kong air pollution regulations have been left more or less unchanged since the 1980’s. Roadside pollution reached an all time high last year, which can be attributed to local emissions from transportation and power plants. 

China suspends exports of diesel fuel to counter energy shortages during peak summer season
Washington Post (May 12, 2011)
Because of widespread national power shortages, China has halted all exports of diesel fuel for the coming months to ensure adequate domestic supply. The National Reform and Development Commission has urged oil companies to increase production to ensure stable supplies. 

CATA rejects new EU carbon emissions trade scheme
Global Times (May 10, 2011)
The China Air Transport Association has rejected the recently issued EU carbon emissions trade scheme on the grounds that the regulations are ‘unreasonable’. The new scheme is designed so that all planes landing in their territories, beginning January of next year, would be subjected to participate in a carbon trading market, requiring airlines to purchase credits when carbon emissions quotas have been exceeded. The association argues that the new scheme is in no way designed to address energy saving methods, but rather has the consequence of inhibiting the growth of air transport industries in developing countries. China’s aviation industry would be slated to pay $123.7 million in excess emission fees next year.

Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail runs trial operation
People’s Daily (May 12, 2011)
The new high speed rail connecting Beijing and Shanghai has begun a month’s worth of trial operations. The 1,318 km rail is said to be able to connect the two cities within 5 hours, and is slated for commercial use by June. The rail will be tested for emergency safety situations during the month long trial, and will operate under the two varying speeds. There will be a total of 90 pairs of bullet trains utilized. 

China's Yangtze River closed to ships by severe drought
The Telegraph (May 12, 2011)
Parts of the Yangtze River have been closed to ocean going vessels near Wuhan because of sever drought in the region. River managers announced the drastic regulatory measures after levels in the main thoroughfare reached as low as 10 feet. It has also been reported that there are sections of the river which have shrunk by 160 feet in width since last year. 

China restores forests to combat flooding
UPI (May 11, 2011)
A massive reforestation program has been initiated in rural parts of China to help reclaim 37 million acres of land. Former farmlands will be forested in efforts to restore eroded land to curb the detriments of flooding. Villagers have been compensated for lands and encouraged to find livelihood in other sectors.