Chinese model cities and cancer villages: Where environmental policy is social policy

Abstract

This chapter examines the development of environmental model cities and the occurrence of cancer villages in China. Case studies demonstrate the possible relationship between them through intracity, intercity, and intra-province pollution transfers. China's environmental policy to create model cities causes pollution transfer which improves environment in some communities at the expenses of others. The social-economic policy adopted by less developed communities to recruit the polluting factories leads to environmental degradation and cancer villages. The lessons are that environmental policies have social consequences, and social-economic policies cause environmental impacts. Environmental and social policies must be integrated to achieve environmental protection, social justice, and economic security.