Daily News April 7, 2014

Environmental Pollution and Health

Beijing to film building sites in new smog control measure, Reuters

 China's capital Beijing will set up cameras at building sites across the city to monitor how much constructioncontributes to Beijing's notoriously polluted air, state media said.

Air pollution in China hurts foreign firms' recruitment, Want China Times

More foreign companies operating in China have encountered difficulties in hiring senior executives to post to the country due to the severe problems with air pollution.

China’s Poisonous Waterways, NY Times

Over the past few years, trips back to my home village, Huaihua Di, on the Lanxi River in Hunan Province, have been clouded by news of deaths — deaths of people I knew well. Some were still young, only in their 30s or 40s.

How does environmental pollution influences supply chain model

Could 'fresh canned air' business work in China?, Want China Times

The question on whether China should manufacture bottles of oxygen as part of a tourism scheme was raised after China's president, Xi Jinping, raised the suggestion during the annual meeting of the National People's Congress session in early March in remarks on tackling the country's air pollution woes.

Wealthy fleeing from China's smoggy cities, Want China Times

A number of China's wealthy have decided to emigrate overseas or move to smaller cities, spurred by the country's worsening environmental conditions.

China invests in farms overseas as development and pollution threaten its fields, SCMP

... Los Angeles Times in Beijing Investment in overseas agriculture soars as the world's most populous country sees its own farmland threatened by development and pollution China sets its… 

Room for China to hike water rates, says World Bank, the Australian

CHINA’S water prices are still low by international standards and there is room for price increases to encourage consumers to use water more efficiently, the World Bank says in a report on Chinese urbanisation released last week.

Ongoing Problems on Coal

Coal port builders: Help, we’re being outgunned

The export port projects are vital to the future of Big Coal in the United States.  Coal is being displaced by natural gas as a fuel of choice for utilities.  Aging plants must be fitted with new emission controls.  The industry is looking to exports — specifically to China — to keep it in business.

Grain, Poultry and Food Security

China Tightens Restrictions on Imports of U.S. Hogs, WSJ

Tougher Requirements for Live Pigs Comes Amid Concerns Over a Fatal Swine Virus

China facing bigger dietary health crisis than the US, China Dialogue

Dietary shifts to meats, sugar and oils are creating a health and environment crisis that Chinese officials ignore, says Barry Popkin, coordinator of the China Health and Nutrition Survey

Research clarifies health costs of air pollution from agriculture

Ammonia pollution from agricultural sources poses larger health costs than previously estimated, according to NASA-funded research.

China’s Role in Global Trade

Japan, Australia clinch trade deal as U.S.-Tokyo talks heat up, Reuters

Japan, Australia clinch trade deal as U.S.-Tokyo talks heat up

COFCO joins WA grain dots, YahooNews

Chinese heavyweight COFCO is weighing up options in WA as part of a global spending spree in the grains industry.