Abstract: This paper discusses the relationship between industrial development and environmental protection. The paper argues that human beings cannot solve the problems linked to the environment and the natural resources in a stagnant manner, nor can human beings achieve sustainable development in the extensive economic growth model of ignoring resource constraints and the environment. The difficulties of China’s environmental protection lie in the balance of the relationship between the reform of regulation governing resources and the environmental and the international competitiveness of China's industrial sector, in particular, the balance of the relationship between environmental protection and economic growth. China's industrialization practices show that the country's industrial sector itself has the potential to help promote the improvement of the utilization efficiency of resources and the environment. At the same time, however it can consume significant resources, causing certain environmental degradation. Industrial processes can have negative environmental impacts, but industrial development can play a positive role in environmental protection and improvement from a global and long-term perspective. It is impossible for China to solve the problems linked to resources and the environment without the development of industrial entities. On the contrary, the pressure on the resources and the environment can only be relieved with more advanced and powerful industries. In China, public opinion on environmental protection has been formed and will become stronger. Therefore, we have reason to be optimistic for the country's environmental protection and improvement.
Keywords: Environmental protection, Industrial development, Green economy
Source: China Finance and Economic Review, Volume 2, No.1, 2013
About the Authors:
Jin Bei is a member of the academic committee and director of the Institute of Industrial Economics of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and president of China Business Journal. He is an editor-in-chief of China Industrial Economics, Economic Management and China Economist. He is also the vice president of the China Industrial Economic Association and vice president and chairman of the China Regional Economics Association. He has won more than 20 awards at the national level and ministerial level for outstanding achievements in scientific research. He is an expert enjoying a special government subsidy.
Li Gang is a doctor of economics, associate researcher with the Institute of Industrial Economics of theChineseAcademy of Social Sciences, and editorial director of the China Economist.