Air Pollution in South China: Academics and Research

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 GUANGZHOU 030248

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/CM
STATE FOR EB/TPP FELSING, MASSINGA
USDOC FOR 4420/ITA/MAC/MCQUEEN, DAS LEVINE
STATE PASS USTR - STRATFORD, CELICO
USPACOM FOR FPA
STATE FOR OES/OGC, OES/ENV AND OES/PCI/STEWART
DOE FOR INTERNATIONAL/PUMPHREY
DOE ALSO FOR EERE/DIXON
USDOC FOR NOAA/OFFICE OF GLOBAL PROGRAMS/BUIZER,
EPA FOR OFFICE OF AIR AND RADIATION/EVARTS
EPA ALSO FOR INTERNATIONAL/THOMPSON
STATE PASS USTDA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV TBIO PGOV CH
SUBJECT: Air Pollution in South China: Academics and Research
Scientists Claim Situation Is Worse Than Government Admits

(U) THIS DOCUMENT IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PLEASE PROTECT
ACCORDINGLY. NOT FOR RELEASE OUTSIDE U.S. GOVERNMENT CHANNELS. NOT
FOR INTERNET PUBLICATION.

Ref: A) Guangzhou 27482
B) Guangzhou 30165
C) Hong Kong 3633


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Academics and research scientists in Guangdong,
who are increasingly concerned about the region's serious air
pollution but feel pressured to tone down their comments lest they
face cuts in research funding, are interested in learning more about
U.S. EPA's experience, especially its air quality research and
management technologies. Scientists acknowledge that lack of
transparency for existing air pollution data is a major problem,
both for research and policy making, while resource limitations
prevent more comprehensive, long-term studies and data collection.
Provincial and municipal government officials claim that the
regional air quality has improved in recent years, citing what the
academics and scientists refer to as unreliable statistics. While
public rhetoric is moving in the right direction, bureaucratic
wrangling remains an obstacle as local leaders balance environmental
concerns with the need for continued economic growth. Chinese
officials and academics welcome a possible U.S. TDA study on
expanding the region's environmental monitoring network. End
Summary.

Air Quality a High Priority Issue
--------------


2. (U) Air pollution in South China is a high priority environmental
and political issue. Academics and research scientists in Guangdong
are concerned about the rapidly deteriorating air quality and
visibility in the Pearl River Delta (PRD),especially pollutants of
immediate concern in the PRD region such as respirable particulate
matter (PM) and ozone. They have published a series of papers
containing clear data describing the severely deteriorating air
quality in the PRD. In contrast, provincial and municipal
government officials claim that the regional air quality has
improved in recent years, citing what the academics and scientists
refer to as unreliable statistics.

Data at a Premium
--------------


3. (SBU) Lack of transparency for air pollution data is a major
problem, both for research and policy making. Research scientists
must often resort to "guanxi," or personal connections, to obtain
even limited air pollution monitoring and emissions data. In some
cases, they must pay to obtain the data. Scientists believe that
the provincial and municipal governments should more actively
promote data sharing, starting with government-sponsored projects.
Should the academics and researchers push the point on air quality,
they find that their opinions are either ignored, or if voiced too
strongly, could lead to the government stopping their funding
altogether.

Need for More Resources and Better Coordination
-------------- --


4. (SBU) A large-scale intensive field study, the Campaign of Air
Quality Research Experiment (CARE),was conducted in the PRD this
summer. In July 2006, key photochemical pollutants, respirable
particulate matter (PM),ozone, their precursors, and meteorological
data were monitored. More than 20 municipal Environmental
Protection Bureau (EPB) monitoring sites in the PRD participated in
this study in an effort to improve their understanding of the
regional formation and transport of PM and ozone. The CARE team
leader said that he would like to conduct a year-round study, but
lack of resources and coordination difficulties prevent this. The
team hopes that the PRD authorities and the USG will sponsor such

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studies in the future.

Desire to Learn More from EPA
--------------


5. (U) Researchers and even a number of South China Environmental
Protection Bureau (EPB) officials have expressed strong interest in
learning more about U.S. EPA's experience and its air quality
research and management technologies, such as the Models-3 Air
Quality Modeling System, SMOKE Emission Processing System, AIRNow
Air Quality Forecasting and Notification System, the U.S. emissions
trading system, and the ongoing U.S. EPA fuel quality improvement
project in Beijing.

Enthusiasm for Possible TDA Study
--------------


6. (U) Chinese officials and scientists welcomed the idea of a U.S.
Trade and Development Agency (TDA) feasibility study on expanding
the PRD's monitoring network. They also indicated that they plan to
purchase at least some environmental monitoring equipment from U.S.
companies.


Comment: Things Are Changing, Slowly
--------------


7. (SBU) While the public environmental rhetoric is moving in the
right direction (see refs A through C for PRD authorities public
recognition of the severity of the air pollution problem),
bureaucratic wrangling remains an obstacle as local leaders balance
environmental concerns with the need for continued economic growth.
Despite potential retaliation, scholars and scientists appear
willing to continue to speak their minds and put some public
pressure on the authorities. While progress towards pollutant
emission reduction is possible, rapid change is not likely.

GOLDBERG