Viewpoints of China¡¯s Top Conferences

On the conference closed on March 16th the Chinese People¡¯s
Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) received a total of
4 516 moves. Nineteen moves are related to crude oil and natural
gas sectors, for example, "the exploration and development of
low-grade oil resources", "the enforcement of legislation in the
natural gas sector" and "the establishment of international oil
transaction platforms in Hong Kong".
   Thirty-six moves are related to chemical and petrochemical
sectors. They include "proper expansion for chemical industry
in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region", "Shanxi province ranking into
the national program for the coal chemical industry", "control
on the overloaded transportation of hazardous chemicals".
   Mr. Huang Zhigong, member of CPPCC, points out problems in
the localization of PTA complete plant. PTA is a major raw
material for polyester. Since the localization of polyester
technology and equipment in 2000, the capacity of polyester in
China has increased by 10 million t/a. At present China is not
able to manufacture PTA complete plants. Mr. Huang has put
forward schemes for the solution to these problems and the early
local manufacture of PTA complete plant.
   A move of "Environmental Protection and Cities - Proposal for
the Relocation of Xiamen Haicang PX Project" is raised by a
hundred CPPCC members headed by Ms. Zhao Yufen, member of CPPCC
and academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.
   Haicang PX project is composed of a PX plant, a co-generation
plant, a petroleum products terminal and an intermediate tank
farm. Major products include PX, o-toluene and benzene. The
project already started construction.
   According to Ms. Zhao, the shortest distance between the
battery limit of the plant and the residential area is less than
1.5 kilometers. The project is only 4.0 kilometers from schools
and only 7.0 kilometers from the downtown area and the scenic
spot of the state-class Gulangyu. The terminal is located in the
state-class natural protection zone of rare marine species. The
population in Haicang District of Xiamen city within a 5
kilometers radius of the project is more than 100 000. The whole
western seawaters of Xiamen and most of the Jiulong River mouth
area are within a 10 kilometers radius of the project. There are
however only two exits on the Xiamen Island.
   It is therefore proposed that the construction of Xiamen
Haicang PX project should be postponed. Site survey should be
conducted once again. The project should be relocated to an
out-of-the-way area with relatively low population density.
    Mr. Huang Baiqu, member of the Fifth Session of the Tenth
National People's Congress, has proposed to restrict the use of
plasticizers, accelerate the research of non-toxic products to
replace toxic products such as plasticizers and stop the use of
plasticizers with toxicity and hard biodegradability.