Qingdao keeping its Green Olympics promise

QINGDAO: The local government has for years been working hard to fulfill its promise to build an environmentally friendly city - and its efforts are now bearing fruit.

"The environment in Qingdao meets the requirement of a green Olympics - blue skies, clean water and harmonious city that all present a comfortable environment for the Olympic sailing competition and the life of residents," said Xia Geng, mayor of Qingdao.

"The Olympic sailing center gives full presentation to the environmentally friendly concept," Xia noted. "We built the first seawater source heat pump air conditioning system in China and the world's most advanced pontoon system."

"Hydro, solar and wind power, as well as recycled water, all make the sailing center a modern venue combining the concepts of a recycling economy and a green Olympics.".

Five years of effort have improved the city's environment, while projects around Jiaozhou Bay to stop sources of pollution along the coastline have been implemented.

Urban green space now covers 39.5 percent of the city. Some 64 percent of sewage is treated and the disposal rate of household refuse is almost 100 percent. Ninety-seven percent of industrial solid waste is utilized or disposed of.

The city is famous for its "red tiles and green trees, blue sea and azure sky", a harmonious blend of mountains, sea and a historic city. The sailing course with its mountain backdrop follows 20 km of green coastline.

Olympics projects were required to meet national environmental protection laws by adopting "green construction" while pollution treatment is strictly supervised and buildings are designed to save energy.

The natural environment has long attracted overseas tourists to Qingdao. Augmented by green Olympics development - including a water canal and newly planted forest - the city is now a showcase of eco-construction and development.

Qingdao is the first among 15 cities designated by State planners as model for environment protection, a challenge it met through the use of seawater for cooling and harnessing wind and solar power to produce energy.

A campaign launched last October strengthened protection of the sailing venue to ensure water quality meets required standards. Air pollution is strictly controlled so that it meets at least a Level II standard. Information on air, water and noise pollution is regularly released.

"Qingdao will welcome sailing racers and tourists with a healthy environment," Xia said.

(China Daily 03/12/2008 page24)