Don't blame China for the world's eco woes

Two Chinese businessmen walk into an international airport smoking room crowded with Western men puffing on cigars. The two Chinese are about to light up when one suit-wearing smoker turns and barks: "Do you mind?"

This is an old analogy used to illustrate the hypocrisy of some in the West who blame China for the world's pollution woes.

They blame China as it quickly develops to provide its citizens with a better quality of life. But developed countries are "developed" because their factories have been polluting the sky for more than 200 years.