Policy Proposal to Reduce Water Pollution in China

Abstract

China's economy has grown rapidly over the past decade, but the country's extensive economic development model caused China to neglect environmental protection. China's water quality has been deteriorating in recent years and this poses a huge threat to the health of Chinese citizens. Many surveys show that the Chinese public is increasingly concerned about this issue. This paper presents a detailed description of the water pollution problem in China and concludes that water pollution has now become one of the most serious and urgent challenges China is facing. This paper also explores the history and background of the water pollution problem in China by using various data. Then it provides a comprehensive analysis of past policies that China used to combat water pollution and discusses the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of these policies. With the experiences from past policies and considering China's unique political environment, this memorandum proposes a policy that may help reduce water pollution and optimize water quality in China. The recommendation is to modify the 2017 version of the Water Pollution Prevention and Control Law. In detail, imposing a minimum fine of one million RMB to a maximum fine of twenty million RMB on enterprises that illegally discharge sewage and exempting the sales tax for machinery and equipment that reduces or prevents water pollution.