China lifts anti-pollution measures to revive its economy

In China, the poor health of the economy is pushing the authorities to ease up on anti-pollution measures. Several large cities are in the process of removing the very severe restrictions that the Chinese authorities have put in place over the past ten years to limit purchases of fossil fuel cars. This step backwards contradicts China’s objectives in terms of pollution and global warming. Because since the mid-2000s, Chinese people who live in big cities and who wish to acquire a car running on fuel have been faced with a real obstacle course.

It can therefore take years to obtain registration rights. The municipalities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou have implemented one of the strictest lottery and auction systems in the world. This measure makes it possible to limit the number of cars in circulation, and thus fight against traffic jams and pollution. But in a China which is facing an unprecedented slowdown in its economy, the priorities are now different.

Traffic permits granted more easily

Today, we must revive consumption and car sales at all costs. Last December, the municipalities of Guangzhou and Shenzhen had already relaxed their restrictions on registrations. Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province with its 12 million inhabitants, is also going backwards by granting traffic permits much more easily. Hangzhou was, however, considered one of the most restrictive cities, authorizing only 80,000 new car plates each year out of several million applications.

The new measures should make it possible to revive vehicle purchases in China. More than ten million vehicles should be sold over five years, according to forecasts cited by the economic newspaper Caixin. Sales should therefore increase by 10%, but mechanically increase automobile pollution. The recovery of the economy thus comes directly into conflict with Beijing’s objectives on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.