China’s Environmental Problems and Prospects for Japanese Cooperation

A forested site on the outskirts of Wuhai, a coal-mining city on the middle reaches of the Yellow River. Afforestation has alleviated the sandstorms hitting the city, but growing trees in this dry area requires precious water from the river. (Author’s photo, March 12, 2012)

An open-pit coal mine in Shenmu County, Shaanxi Province. Coal is being extracted from a bed 70 meters below the surface after clearing away all the soil to that depth. After a year of mining, the operator is required to restore the soil and replant the site. (Author’s photo, September 8, 2011)

Lihu, or Li Lake, is an inlet of Lake Tai adjacent to the urban center of Wuxi. An ecological restoration project has been implemented here, and parks have been created along the shore. When I visited in November 2008 the lake had a noticeable odor, but when I visited again three years later, the odor was gone. (Author’s photo, December 22, 2011)