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{
  "authors": [
    "Wang Tao"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
    "Carnegie China"
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  "collections": [
    "China and the Developing World"
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  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie China",
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    "Economy",
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}

Source: Getty

In The Media
Carnegie China

China Air Pollution: Return of the Smog

China’s heavy pollution is mainly a result of the country’s reliance on coal and heavy industry.

Link Copied
By Wang Tao
Published on Oct 27, 2013

Source: CCTV News

Carnegie–Tsinghua’s Wang Tao participated in a discussion on CCTV News’ World Insight on China’s current air pollution problem. In the discussion, Wang emphasized that China’s heavy pollution is mainly a result of the country’s reliance on coal and heavy industry. 

Wang noted that Beijing must learn from the mistakes of countries like the United States and UK in dealing with air pollution, but also retain a realistic mindset as long-term solutions to environmental challenges take years to be effective. The national government must prioritize improving the environment rather than focusing on cosmetic fixes. Wang made it clear that a major hurdle for the government will be the burden that environmental protection policies will place on the public. In order to keep the public invested, Wang explained that inconveniences to their daily lifestyles must be kept to a minimum. 

This interview was originally aired on CCTV News.

About the Author

Wang Tao

Former Nonresident Scholar, Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy

Wang Tao was a nonresident scholar in the Energy and Climate Program based at the Carnegie–Tsinghua Center for Global Policy.

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Wang Tao
Former Nonresident Scholar, Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy
Wang Tao
EconomyClimate ChangeEast AsiaChina

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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