Dongying sets to balance economy and environment

The conundrum facing the local government of Dongying is one that typifies the dilemma now facing many modern Chinese cities - how do you manage a rapidly growing local economy and at the same time protect the environment?

This issue is a particularly telling one for Dongying, a prefecture level city in China's eastern Shandong Province. Set at the delta of the Yellow River - sometimes referred to as the "cradle of Chinese civilization" - the area around Dongying is one of great environmental importance. However, the area is also home to one of China's largest oilfields and is also one of the largest tire manufacturing centers on the planet.

The "developing eco-economy in the delta" has been listed as part of China's national strategy for both the 10th and the 11th Five-Year-Plan periods. The Shandong provincial government also regards the delta project as the key component in its accelerated development strategy for the Yellow River Delta eco-economy.