Time for polluters to be recognized

The issue of pollution is expected to be high on the agenda for Two Sessions delegates in the days ahead.

In fact, some delegates recently raised the possibility of creating a "black GDP list" to name the country's biggest polluters.

Since local GDP growth and the government's fiscal revenue are still dependent on highly-polluting industries, this raises a dilemma for China. Should this still-developing nation put economic growth or environmental protection first?

Right now, provincial environmental protection authorities are often forced to make concessions for the sake of economic activities.

At the same time, central State-owned companies that operate at a high administrative level makes it difficult for local governments to regulate them.

Under such circumstances, having a list of top polluters drawn up by a disinterested third party could do much to improve supervision and help authorities manage toxic companies.

The author is Li Jianbao, a deputy to the National People's Congress.

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