Representative Christopher H. Smith, Chair
Senator Jeff Merkley, Cochair
Environmental NGOs in China: Encouraging Action and Addressing Public Grievances
2255 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 | Monday, February 7, 2005 - 2:00pm to 3:30pm
Transcript (PDF) (Text)
The Congressional-Executive Commission on China held its first Issues Roundtable of 2005, entitled "Environmental NGOs in China: Encouraging Action and Addressing Public Grievances" on Monday, February 7, from 2:00 - 3:30 PM in Room 2255 of the Rayburn House Office Building.
Rapid economic growth in China has resulted in massive degradation of China's rivers, marshes, and forests, prompting the rise of a new generation of citizen activists who challenge government policies. Victims of environmental pollution, farmers displaced by huge hydroelectric power projects, and citizens concerned with the loss of China's natural wildlife are joining an increasing number of Chinese environmental NGOs to make their voices heard on the issues that affect them.
This Roundtable examined the role Chinese non-governmental organizations play in allowing Chinese citizens a voice on national environmental policy, and their ability to serve as a channel for the grievances of individual victims harmed by particular projects.
Panelists:
Dr. Elizabeth Economy, C.V. Starr Senior Fellow and Director of Asia Studies, Council on Foreign Relations
Ms. Patricia Adams, Executive Director, Probe International
Dr. Jiang Ru, Ph.D. in Environmental Management and Planning, Stanford University