Air Pollution In China: Who Cares?

Air pollution has been a significant issue in China, with a large proportion of the population residing in low-lying coastal areas and enduring extreme air pollution. While China has made strides in improving air quality, particularly during the Covid era, it continues to battle an unprecedented environmental health crisis. Chinese citizens' attitudes towards air pollution and the government's efforts to address it are complex and influenced by various factors, including trust in different levels of government and perceptions of climate change. The success of anti-pollution campaigns and the decline in global pollution levels can be attributed to China's efforts to reduce pollution, indicating that Chinese people care about air pollution and are taking steps to address it.

Chinese citizens' trust in the government is influenced by air pollution

Air pollution has been a serious problem in China, causing death, illness, and economic losses. It has also been a concern for the central government, which has implemented several national-level pieces of legislation to combat it. Chinese citizens' trust in the government is influenced by air pollution, with studies showing that citizens who perceive the local air quality to be poor are less likely to trust their county and provincial governments. However, air pollution does not seem to significantly impact citizens' trust in the central government.

The hierarchical nature of the Chinese political system, where different levels of government are part of the same system, means that trust in the central government is linked to trust in lower-level governments. Citizens' trust in the government is also influenced by their evaluation of the government's performance in improving their welfare. Poor air quality is perceived as a failure of the government to protect the basic needs and well-being of its citizens, leading to decreased political trust.

The link between air pollution and trust in the government was studied through surveys and satellite-derived air pollution data. The results showed that worsening air pollution significantly impacted Chinese citizens' trust in their local and provincial governments. Prolonged exposure to poor air quality lowered citizens' life satisfaction, induced adverse health effects, imposed financial burdens, and reduced household income, all of which contributed to decreased trust in local authorities.

While China has made significant progress in improving air quality, especially during the Covid era, the success is uneven across the country. The government's ability to transmit pressures down to the lowest hierarchy levels has resulted in a 50% drop in PM2.5 concentrations between 2013 and 2019. However, new coal-fired power plants are still being constructed, indicating that the war against pollution is not over.

China's environmental health crisis and the government's response

China's environmental health crisis is well-documented, with the country facing an unprecedented crisis that has impacted the health of its citizens, the economy, and the legitimacy of the party-state. The book "Toxic Politics: China's Environmental Health Crisis and Its Challenge to the Chinese State" by Yanzhong Huang highlights the environmental health challenges China faces, particularly regarding air, water, and soil pollution. The book also offers a critical assessment of the Chinese government's response to the crisis.

The Chinese government has gradually elevated environmental priorities, especially regarding air pollution prevention and mitigation. In 2013, the government launched an anti-pollution campaign focused on controlling PM2.5, the most harmful particulate matter. This campaign led to a significant reduction in PM2.5 concentrations, with a 50% decrease between 2013 and 2019. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment reported that the average annual concentration of PM2.5 in 339 major Chinese cities fell to 29 μg/m³ in 2022, with an increasing number of days of good air quality.

However, despite these improvements, China's environmental health crisis continues to be a concern. The government's strong autonomy in policymaking and ability to transmit pressures to lower hierarchy levels have been noted. Still, critics argue that a lack of accountability, public participation, and a development-first mentality limit the effectiveness of their environmental policies. The political system's resilience and flaws are exposed, with conflicting incentives for officials and limited capacity to deliver public goods.

The health consequences of China's environmental degradation are wide-ranging, with an increase in various diseases and health concerns. The social and economic impacts are also significant, as citizens pay the price for the country's rapid industrialization and growth. The rise of environmental protests and the potential challenge to the Communist Party of China's rule further underscore the urgency of addressing the crisis.

In conclusion, China's environmental health crisis is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive response. While the government has made strides in improving air quality, particularly through centralized policy enforcement, the crisis continues to impact the health, social, and economic fabric of the nation. A multifaceted approach that includes willing participation from citizens, effective governance, and a health-centric policy mindset is necessary to address the environmental and health challenges China faces.

The impact of air pollution on the popularity of the Communist Party of China

Air pollution has been a major source of worry since the Industrial Revolution. In China, it has been identified as a possible challenge to the popular standing of the Communist Party of China's rule. A 2012 study by Zhong Nanshan, president of the China Medical Association, warned that air pollution could become the country's biggest health threat. This was confirmed by a Global Burden of Disease study, which found that ambient PM2.5 pollution caused approximately 1.4 million premature deaths in China in 2019.

The Chinese government has taken some steps to address air pollution, particularly since 2006. In 2013, an anti-pollution campaign was launched, focusing on controlling PM2.5 levels. As a result, the average PM2.5 concentration dropped by 50% from 2013 to 2019, and China continued to improve air quality during the Covid era. By 2022, the average annual concentration of PM2.5 in 339 major Chinese cities fell to 29 μg/m³, and the number of days with good air quality reached 316. However, China's economic rebound from the pandemic has been accompanied by a surge in industrial pollution, and the government has been criticized for sacrificing environmental regulations for economic growth.

The political cycle in China has been found to impact air pollution levels, with pollution reduced in the year before and after the Party Congress. Cities closer to the capital also tend to have stronger pollution control measures in place. Trust in the government is generally high, but Chinese citizens tend to trust higher levels of government more than lower levels. Air pollution has been associated with dissatisfaction with local governance, and it has been argued that poor governance could cause both air pollution and low trust in authorities.

While China has made progress in reducing air pollution, it still faces an unprecedented environmental health crisis. The country's rapid economic growth has resulted in excessive emissions of greenhouse gases, and industrial pollution continues to surge. China's leaders have been criticized for prioritizing economic growth over clean energy, with investments pouring into highly polluting industries and infrastructure. The promotion of consumerism has also contributed to the country's waste and pollution crises, with China being the largest dumper of plastic into the ocean.

Overall, air pollution has had a complex impact on the popularity of the Communist Party of China. While the government has taken some successful measures to reduce pollution, it has also been criticized for sacrificing environmental regulations for economic growth and failing to prioritize clean energy. The health risks associated with air pollution and the public's dissatisfaction with local governance have the potential to challenge the popular standing of the Communist Party's rule.

China's rapid economic growth and its contribution to climate change

China's rapid economic growth has had a significant impact on climate change, with the country becoming the world's largest annual emitter of greenhouse gases in 2006. As the world's top electricity producer from renewable energy sources, China's renewable energy sector is expanding faster than its fossil fuel and nuclear power capacity, and is expected to contribute 43% of global renewable capacity growth. China's citizens now have carbon footprints well above the global average, and the country's densely populated, economically critical low-lying coastal cities are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, experiencing frequent coastal flooding, storm surges, coastal erosion, and saltwater intrusion.

Recognizing the urgency of addressing climate change, China has demonstrated a proactive approach, such as launching the Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) in 2020 to measure the contribution of ecosystems to the economy and regulate climate. In 2020, Chinese leader Xi Jinping pledged at the UN General Assembly that China would end its contribution to global heating and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. China's commitment to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality aligns with its transition to a low-carbon economy, emphasizing the rebalancing of the economy from infrastructure investment to innovation and market-driven resource allocation.

China's battle against air pollution has shown notable progress, with the average annual concentration of PM2.5 in 339 major Chinese cities decreasing to 29 μg/m³ in 2022, resulting in a significant increase in the number of days with good air quality. This improvement can be attributed to the anti-pollution campaign launched in 2013, which focused on controlling PM2.5 particulate matter. China's ability to transmit pressures down to the lowest levels of the hierarchy and the strong autonomy in policymaking have contributed to these positive outcomes.

However, some scholars, commentators, and policymakers argue that air pollution and the government's handling of it could challenge the Communist Party of China's rule. While political trust in China is generally high, citizens tend to place more trust in higher levels of government, reflecting skepticism about the central government's commitment to ensuring local governments serve the public interest. Nevertheless, China's success in reducing pollution has contributed to the steep decline in global pollution levels, showcasing the country's critical role in combating climate change.

The perception of climate change and air pollution among Chinese people

Chinese people's perception of climate change and air pollution is an important topic, given the country's unprecedented environmental health crisis. While it is difficult to generalise the views of over a billion people, surveys and studies can give us an insight into the overall perception of these issues.

Several studies indicate that Chinese citizens are aware of climate change and its anthropogenic causes. One study, using data from Weibo, one of China's largest social media platforms, found that the Chinese public views climate change as a global issue requiring international cooperation, particularly between China and the United States. Another study, consisting of two national surveys, revealed that over 80% of Chinese people surveyed believe that climate change is occurring, with a majority attributing it to human activities. This study also found that Chinese people tend to view the government as the entity most responsible for addressing climate change and generally approve of its efforts.

However, it is worth noting that the perception of climate change in China may be influenced by state censorship. Additionally, compared to Western cultures, preserving the environment does not seem to be a prevalent concern among the Chinese public, as suggested by the prevalence of the exotic meat trade and the large number of factories in the country.

When it comes to air pollution, the Chinese government has prioritised addressing this issue since at least 2006. The success of anti-pollution campaigns, such as the one launched in 2013, has led to significant improvements in air quality. According to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the average annual concentration of PM2.5, the most harmful particulate matter, in 339 major Chinese cities decreased by half from 2013 to 2019. This improvement has continued during the Covid era, with China boasting the fastest air quality improvement worldwide.

Despite the progress, air pollution remains a critical issue in China, and it is recognised as a potential challenge to the Communist Party's rule. Chinese citizens tend to trust the central government more than lower-level administrations when it comes to addressing this issue. However, this "hierarchical trust" may conceal public scepticism about the central government's commitment and capacity to ensure local governments serve the public interest in reducing air pollution.

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