In terms of the proportion in gross domestic product (GDP), the investment in environmental protection in China lags behind other major countries, according to experts.

 

China spent a huge sum of 838.8 billion yuan (UD$104.85 billion) in protecting the environment in 2005, however, it made up only 1.3 percent of the country's total GDP, said experts on Saturday at a conference of China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED).

  

In comparison, developed countries usually invest more than two percent of their GDP in the environmental protection, the experts said.

  

According to the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA), although about one million factories in the country are generating pollution, there are only 50,000 environmental monitoring and inspection personnel at various levels,

  

Due to poor funds in the field, local environmental protection staff lack professional training and are not competent enough in their daily work, the SEPA said.

  

Although the Chinese government has constantly increased investment in environmental protection, experts estimate that still another 90 billion yuan (US$10.86 billion) is needed in the 11th Five-Year Plan period (2006-2010).

  

Experts suggested that environment protection investment and financing channels should be further expanded to allow more capitals into the field.

  

The CCICED was established in 1992 by the Chinese government, foreign governments, and international organizations. 

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 13, 2006)