Japan-China Environmental Development Model Cities Plan
- Clear Blue Skies for Entire China -

It is difficult to improve environmental situations in whole China solely by foreign support such as ODA limited. The Both Governments have jointly launched the Japan-China Environmental Development Model Cities Plan under which model cities for the priority implementation of environmental control and improvement measures are selected so that their achievements can act as priming water for the dissemination of such measures to other cities.

To promote the Plan, a committee composed of experts was established in each side and debates incorporating a number of viewpoints took place over a period of one and a half years. In April 1999, these committees selected Guiyang, Dalian and Chongqing as model cities and put forward recommendations to their respective governments on the basic principle of giving priority to air pollution and acid rain control measures and on priority projects. The Government of Japan has subsequently been conducting research and examinations towards the early implementation of the recommended projects.

In March 2000, the two governments agreed on the Exchange of Notes in regard to the 1999 portion of the Fourth Yen Loan which included projects for the three model cities.

The Project for Improvement in Environmental Information Network
- New Tool to Provide Environmental Information -

In order to appropriately address the environmental problems emerging across China's vast land area, it is essential to expeditionely gather information on the environment of each city in view of sharing these information. While cities in China independently gather and analyze environmental information on the state of air pollution, etc., there is not yet a sufficiently developed network for the communication, sharing and utilization of such information.

Having made the decision to assist the development of such a network, the Government of Japan commenced human resources development training in China in January 2000 and signed the Exchange of Notes for grant aid cooperation to assist the procurement of equipment required by the model cities. Sino-Japan Friendship Center for Environmental Protection is expected to play a core role in this network.

Other Activities

Japan's environmental cooperation for China includes active attempts to conserve the natural environment in addition to pollution control. For example, technical cooperation is provided for pest damage control and the nursing of high quality planting stock to promote the protection and growth of forest resources. Grassroots grant aid cooperation is also provided to assist afforestation projects at the grassroots level.

In July 1999, the Government of Japan proposed the establishment of Japan-China Greening Exchange Fund to facilitate cooperation for afforestation and revegetation between Japan and China involving private sector organizations and others. In the coming years, this Fund is expected to subsidise the cost of afforestation and revegetation projects in China conducted by Japanese enterprises, local government and NGOs.