The workshop had the privilege to invite some of the best-known Chinese authorities in CP. Speakers included Professor Qian Yi, Department of Environmental Engineering, currently a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Deputy of the People's National Congress (PNC) and Chairman of the CP/Circulation Economy Task Force of the CCIECD; Dr Y. Sun, Director of the Legal Affairs Office of the PNC; and Mr H. Liu, Director of the Pollution Control Division, SETC. They provided information about the evolution of CP in China, its relationship to China's commitment to sustainable development, and key features of the new law. Canadian advisors from the CCCP-CP provided insight into Canadian experience. Mr Peter Higgins spoke about implementing Canada's environmental legislation; Ms. Mary Ellen MacCallum summarised approaches to CP awareness-raising, especially some used to promote the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Mr Arthur Fitzgerald of Export Development Canada provided information about international financing of CP. All the speakers fielded a large number of questions.

Day 2 focused on practical aspects of implementation. An academic discussion was presented by Prof. H. Wang of the Beijing University of Political Sciences and Law on the legal implications for implementation, while representatives from three industrial sectors outlined the current status of CP in their sectors and plans for implementation.

Dr. Bob Lao

The evolution of CP in China was outlined by speakers at a recent CP seminar in Beijing. The seminar was co-sponsored by SETC and CCCP-CP.

Technological modification and improvement began in about 1983 and continued through 1992. It was referred to variously as Good Management and Three R's (reduce, reuse, recycle). 1992 saw the first use of the term CP in China: it was identified as a strategy at a UN Conference in Brazil, and UNEP provided the definition of CP that is now widely adopted.

The following decade, 1993-2002, was one of rapid spread of the concept, and growing experience with CP in China. It included many CP demonstrations, awareness raising and training, and policy development. International cooperation played an important role in supporting the emergence of CP. Landmark events included the designation in 1997 of Taiyuan City as the first CP demonstration city. The city produced the country's first CP regulations. This was followed in 2000 by China's 10 Cities 5 sectors CP Policy, which set priorities for the dissemination of CP across China. Training and awareness-raising were conducted nationwide. Information was accessed and shared via the new SETC website. A number of successful technical demonstrations were completed and sector-specific technical support developed. By this time China had accumulated sufficient experience that it was possible to analyse that experience and consolidate the lessons learned. With this basis in practical experience, policy development progressed rapidly. The contribution of international CP experts, and CCCP-CP in particular was noted. Finally, with increased national emphasis on sustainable development, the bid for the Beijing Olympics, and admission to WTO, CP caught the attention of the country's leaders. The National People's Congress decided to develop CP legislation. The world's first CP law was passed in June 2002.

From speakers' notes

China's CP Promotion Law was only a week old when SETC received its first delegation eager to learn about the world's first CP law. A 13 member delegation from Vietnam spent ten days in the People's Republic of China learning from China's experience.

The delegation from Vietnam's National Environment Agency, seven provincial environment agencies, and Ministry of Industry met with SETC, Beijing Municipal Economic Commission, Anhui Province ETC and Environmental Protection Bureau, numerous technical support centres, an industrial association, and four industries to learn more about the world's first CP Law and how industry is implementing CP.

In almost every case presenters included people who had participated in similar technical missions to Canada; they have become catalysts for change within their organisation, and sources of information about CP in China. The delegation was particularly interested to note the leading role taken by SETC, to learn how the State Environmental Protection Administration interacts with SETC in implementing CP, and to hear from industry about reasons for implementing CP.

The CP Technical Mission was supported by the CIDA-funded Vietnam Environment Project, executed by ESSA Technologies and SNC-Lavalin Consortium. The Technical Mission was undertaken with the cooperation of the CIDA-funded CCCP-CP, and serves as an example of cross-fertilization between CIDA-funded projects.

The following list identifies policies, initiatives or systems that the government will use to promote CP under the new law. (See full text of CP Law)

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