An improvement in the appraisal mechanism of government officials will promote environmental protection, says a commentary in Beijing News. An excerpt follows:

According to the latest survey by the bureau of environmental protection in Shanxi Province, North China, 93.3 per cent of the public agreed that environmental protection should develop at the same pace as economic growth, while 91.95 per cent of surveyed officials said environmental protection would harm economic growth.

Doubtless, the environment has become an issue of concern. But the provincial bureau's survey of 10,000 citizens indicates a stark difference in attitude between residents and officials.

When asked whether or not a mayor should be re-elected when his city has a sound economy but serious pollution, 71 per cent of citizens surveyed gave a negative answer, but 91 per cent of the officials said yes.

It is revealing: When most citizens give priority to environmental health, local officials attach higher importance to economic growth and government revenue even at the price of the environment.

Admittedly there are conflicts between economic prosperity and environmental preservation, especially during the process of industrialization. A reasonable practice is to maintain a balance between them. A balance should be met between valuing environmental conservation and material wealth.

However, the current appraisal mechanism for officials makes it impossible for citizens' preference for the environment to balance with officials' zeal for economic growth.

Take Shanxi Province for example. A check of 293 heavy industrial manufacturing businesses in the province showed that 202 of them emitted pollutants against regulations. Local officials gave their consent by turning a blind eye to the pollution to attract investors and encourage economic growth.

Environmental pollution is the inevitable price for massive industrialization, but if pollution gets out of control it must be the result of the government evading its responsibilities.

An improvement in the official appraisal mechanism would help strike a balance between the environment and the economy.

(China Daily 11/14/2006 page4)