The state of pollution

As China steps into the year of the rooster, all its provinces have submitted their economic performance reports for 2004. On the face of it, Guangdong, Shandong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang ranked as the top four in terms of gross domestic product (GDP), with each exceeding 1 trillion yuan. But behind the fancy numbers lies the tale of a ruthless state wreaking havoc on nature for prosperity.

The devastating pollution has put public health at risk. Zhou Jiannong, head of Jiangsu Tumor Hospital blames the increasing number of cancer patients on the deteriorating environment. According to Zhou, cancer deaths have increased 18.31% and 11.03% in urban and rural areas in the 10 years between 1991 and 2000.