Addressing climate change: China's status and policies

摘要

As a developing country, China faces many challenges and, in particular, must balance the requirements for economic development. This naturally leads to a debate about balancing economic growth with environmental protection and carbon emission control. There has been a gradual change in how China defines the suitable balance, with increasing emphasis being given to sustainable development and environmental protection. To some extent this change reflects the fact that, in spite of significant economic progress over the past 30 years, mistakes have been made with respect to environmental protection, resulting in serious pollution.