(December 12, 2001) Pan Yue, the environment watchdog’s vice-director, this week made the startling declaration that a lack of democracy meant vested interests had been able to recklessly degrade the country’s environment.

(Excerpt)

… Galvanised by last November’s embarrassing Songhua River toxic spill, which stopped water to 4 million people for more than four days and caused domestic and international condemnation for the initial cover-up, China’s top leaders also seem to be taking a tougher line. Pan Yue, the environment watchdog’s vice-director, this week made the startling declaration that a lack of democracy meant vested interests had been able to recklessly degrade the country’s environment, and dealing with pollution was one of the biggest tests facing the Chinese Communist Party. “Public good has been encroached upon by certain interest groups as people are not informed and have no channels to express their opinions,” he told the campaigning Southern Weekend newspaper, referring to the lack of any public consultation for big projects with serious environmental impacts.

The Age, December 12, 2001