China Environmental Law

This is how it is supposed to work.  The developer (a branch of China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation) of the proposed Maoming paraxylene (PX) project to be built within the Maoming Oil Refinery Plant has apparently learned the lessons from Xiamen where well-orchestrated, but unsanctioned, public protests forced the relocation of a similar facility.

It is conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), according to China Daily; and, as it’s required by law to do, it has sought public opinion on the development to be included in the EIA report it will ultimately submit for approval to the appropriate environmental protection bureau.

So far it’s saying the right things

public opinion would be a key factor in the decision-making process.

“We will attach great importance to public concerns and promise an effective control on the gas, water and solid waste,” said Ruan Xiaowen, one of the staff workers responsible for the project’s environmental impact assessment.

The local populace also seem to have learned from the Xiamen experience; “[w]e should learn from citizens in Xiamen to join hands to oppose such a chemical project that has a high potential of pollution,”  Protests in online forums have been underway for a month.

“The site of the PX project is too close to residential areas. It will be very harmful to the environment and public health,” Zhang Youxiang, a citizen of Maoming [five kilometers from the proposed construction site], said yesterday.

Maybe yes, maybe no.  Someone’s going to have make the call.  The process so far seems to working as planned.  Let’s hope the ultimate decision is based both on the science and the concerns of the local residents. We’ll keep watching this one.