Balance locality interests

Recently some local authorities have had to suspend or abort plans for industrial projects in the face of fierce opposition from local residents.

While it is certainly unwise to ignore public opinion, giving up on projects because of the public's concerns about their potential risks or impact on the local environment may not be in the long-term interests of the public, said a commentary in People's Daily.

Seeking advantages while avoiding disadvantages is human nature. It is understandable that the construction of a waste disposal plant, nuclear power facility or chemical plant in a neighborhood may cause public concern. Although people acknowledge the necessity of these projects, they want them somewhere else.