Educate people about nuclear power

The Jiangmen local government in Guangdong province cancelled the nuclear energy project on July 13 after extending the deadline to solicit public opinion on the project, reflecting the importance authorities attach to people's views on environmental issues, says an article in People's Daily. Excerpts:

That the environment has to be protected has become a national consensus. But the challenge is to strike the right balance between economic development and environmental protection. And the authorities also have to consider the potential pollution threat posed by certain projects and people's environmental sensitivity before deciding to go ahead with a project.

Lack of proper knowledge about nuclear power generation has made people apprehensive of nuclear technology, although it is considered safe by many experts. The failure to fully inform local people in advance about nuclear projects in their area further fueled their fears. So the authorities should take residents into confidence before taking the final call on a project in any area, otherwise they will invite opposition.

Many an environment-related incident shows the greatest stumbling block in environmental protection is lack of knowledge. People need better understanding of projects such as nuclear power plants, instead of opposing every new scheme in their area. Therefore, it is necessary for government departments to inform the people in advance and for the media to actively guide the public in a positive and constructive way.

If measures are taken in advance to inform the public about a project and a third-party authority is introduced to conduct safety assessments, followed by public hearings, many confrontations on the environment front could be avoided and a win-win situation created for environmental protection as well as economic development.

Spending linked to social security

Many people were surprised to find that China's average individual savings had reached 77,623 yuan ($12,645). But no matter how high or low the figure is, Chinese people are not likely to exchange happiness for consumption, says an article in Beijing Morning Post. Excerpts:

The announcement of the national average individual savings data could be demoralizing for people who don't have that sort of savings. In fact, many netizens have made fun of the latest savings data by saying that they will try to catch up with the national average by surviving without food and drinks.

The average savings rate may not mean much in times of wide differences in consumption, financing, investment and earnings, especially when depositing money in banks has become the least lucrative means of wealth management.

As a country that tops the global savings rate, China has a huge number of people who are reluctant to spend more and thus boost domestic consumption to help the country's economic growth. If savings is only about mere accumulation of money in banks, wealth management will not help national economic development.

Chinese people will really feel happy when they have enough in bank deposits even after spending more than usual, which means they should have enough cash in hand or bank to deal with emergencies, such as paying for housing, medical care and their children's education.

Therefore, only if the government increases its input in social security will Chinese people spend more instead of depositing their money in banks.

(China Daily USA 07/17/2013 page12)