China Faces ‘Very Grave’ Environmental Situation, Official Says

Despite some progress in recent years, Chinese officials say that the nation still faces a “very grave” environmental situation, from industrial pollution that has triggered protests in numerous regions to a troubling decline in biodiversity. Speaking to reporters, officials from China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection said the government has made improvements in some areas, including a reduction in sulfur dioxide emissions in China’s cities and lower surface water pollution. But troubling challenges remain, including increased degradation of the nation’s rural areas, recurrent instances of heavy metal pollution, and lingering drought conditions that have damaged many of the nation’s waterways. “The overall environmental situation is still very grave and is facing many difficulties and challenges,” said Li Ganjie, the environmental agency’s vice minister. As the surging economic power continues to try to find a balance between development and environmental protection, the agency pledged to crack down on toxic metal pollution, which has triggered numerous protests in the last year, and illegal exploitation of natural resources. More than one-fifth of the nation’s rural land set aside as protected areas has been illegally developed, Li said.