Addressing Environmental Health Challenges for Sustainable Development in China.

Abstract

On May 5, 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) no longer posed a public health emergency of international concern (1). As restrictions associated with the epidemic are relaxed and a fresh policy cycle commences, China’s economy is expected to serve as a key driver of global economic postpandemic recovery. For over four and a half decades, China has witnessed rapid economic growth, positioning itself as the world’s second-largest economy. Notably, from 2012 to 2022, the gross domestic product (GDP) of China expanded more than twofold, from 53.9 trillion Chinese yuan (CNY) [approximately 7.58 trillion United States dollars (USD)] to 121.02 trillion CNY (17.93 trillion USD). In the same period, the country had an average annual GDP growth rate of 6.2%, one of the highest globally (2). Alongside this economic growth, China also achieved significant strides in environmental conservation. Specifically, energy consumption per unit of GDP reduced by 8.1%, and CO2 emissions decreased by 14.1%. Furthermore, from 2018 to 2022, an improvement was observed in water quality in cities at or above the prefectural level, with the percentage of good-quality surface water bodies increasing from 67.9% to 87.9%. Air quality also improved, with the average particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) concentration decreasing by 27.5% and severe air pollution days declining by over 50% (2). However, simultaneous industrial expansion and rapid urbanization, coupled with an increase in energy consumption and a burgeoning vehicular population, have amplified environmental pollution issues. This situation presents a significant challenge to both socioeconomic development and public health in China, reflecting environmental health challenges often encountered by developing nations.