中國環保運動 Environmental Degradation in China 

中國各地為發展經濟，漠視生態環保，導致自然環境被高度汙染；靠著開明官員、NGO 非政府組織、記者民眾合作，環保運動逐漸演變為綠色革命，民眾在保護環境的同時，爭取民權的概念逐漸清晰，「新民主運動」隱然成形。

Neglect of natural ecosystem in the name of economic development has led to severe environmental pollution in all regions of China. Now, however, the joint efforts open-minded officials, non-governmental organizations, journalists and the general public have given rise to an environmental movement that is shaping a new green revolution. Meanwhile, as citizens strive to protect their environments, the concept of people standing up for people’s right is gaining strength and a ‘New Democracy Movement’ is taking shape below the radar.

最新一期亞洲周刊報導，最近幾年，中國環保運動風起雲湧，而且逐漸演變成一種民主運動，藉由寫文章、舉辦論壇、成立NGO 等方式，在一定程度上阻止地方政府違反環保的施政，打擊利益集團。由於環保議題不涉意識形態，只談呼吸新鮮的空氣、保留家園、留住大自然，因此，官方沒有理由過於壓制。

A report in the latest issue of Asiaweek relates that the environmental activism that has flourished in recent years has evolved into a sort of popular movement that through articles in the press, forums, the founding of NGOs, etc. has managed to block to a certain extent violations of environmental policy by local governments and to strike blows against vested interests. As the discussion of environmental issues does not invoke ideology, and only involves such questions as breathing clean air, protecting ancestral homelands and preserving nature, officials have no reason to repress these efforts with any great force.

環保工作除了民間團體的努力，官員是否開明，也相當重要。中共國家環保總局副局長潘岳認為，現行的官僚體制造成中國的環境汙染，許多地方官員一味追求亮麗的經濟增長數字，以突顯個人政績；或是陽奉陰違，不把中央的政策當回事，因而忽略了必須付出的環境代價。

In addition to the efforts of citizen’s group, open-mindedness on the part of state officials is also very important. Vice-Minister Pan Yue of China’s State Environmental Protection Administration believes that China’s pollution is the product of the country’s present bureaucratic system, in which local officials pursue dazzling economic growth rates as a means of highlighting their own personal accomplishments. Some also feign compliance with official policy but in fact pay little regard to central directives, and thus ignore the inevitable costs of environmental degradation.

Farmland in the Yangzi Basin is heavily contaminated with toxic effluents from upstream industry.

Hevy-metal contamination is threatening the drinking water of millions of farmers.

taking shape below the radar = not noticed

to strike a blow 打擊

vested interests 利益集團

to pay lip service to = pretend to obey

meretrix = prostitute

meretricious = cheap, sleazy glitz