IHong Kong Conference Report

ForewordJennifer L. Turner

Environmental activism in Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong has been growing considerably

over the past decade, but most green activists and envi-ronmental journalists in each area have not had oppor-tunities to meet and exchange ideas on their profes-sions. Through a generous grant from the U.S. Insti-tute of Peace, the Woodrow Wilson Center Environ-mental Change and Security Project (ECSP) organizeda forum in Hong Kong to provide opportunities for 65environmentalists and journalists from the three areasof Greater China to discuss improving the capacity ofenvironmental nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)and the quality of environmental reporting in theregion.

In preparation for the Hong Kong forum, ECSP’sChina Working Group brought seven environmentalnongovernmental organization representatives and jour-nalists from Greater China to Washington, DC in earlyDecember 2000. The seven (Shi Lihong, Ng Cho Nam,Chang Hung Lin, Wang Yongchen, Nailene ChouWeist, Hu Kanping, and Joyce Fu) took part in a studytour of environmental organizations located in Wash-ington DC. They each gave talks at the Wilson Centerthat highlighted how social, economic, and politicalfactors have shaped the development of green NGOsand environmental journalism in each area. The sevenparticipants also helped me (the China Working Groupcoordinator) design the Green NGO and Environmen-tal Journalist Forum, held in Hong Kong, 9-10 April2001. I am grateful to the seven (whom I affectionatelydubbed the G-7 Greenies) who came to Washington,DC, for not only were they key in designing the forumand suggesting speakers, but they also helped us con-tact participants and acted as chairs for the various pan-els at the Hong Kong forum. Their work and enthusi-asm were instrumental in the success of this uniquegathering.

My coeditor Fengshi Wu and I have enjoyed put-ting this publication together, our only regret is thatthe printed page does not capture the enthusiastic dis-cussions the participants had over meals and walksaround the beautiful grounds of the Hong Kong JockeyClub Beas River Country Club Resort. In these pro-ceedings we have tried to reveal the energy and synthe-size the insightful discussions of this two-day forum.Therefore, in addition to presenting summaries of thepresentations and discussions, we have added some com-mentaries that compare the development trends in theenvironmental movements in the three areas. In order

to better communicate the rich diversity of NGO greengroups in Greater China, we also compiled feature boxeson the organizations that were not covered fully in pre-sentations. This publication concludes with an editoressay reflecting on the potential of environmental dia-logues in promoting confidence and linkages amongpeoples and regions.

I wish to extend my gratitude to the U.S. Instituteof Peace for the generous grant to bring together envi-ronmentalists from both sides of the Taiwan Straits, andthanks are also due to the Woodrow Wilson Interna-tional Center for Scholars, which made federal confer-ence funds available for meetings in Washington, DCand this publication. I am extremely grateful to theforum cosponsors the Centre for Asian Studies and theJournalism and Media Studies Centre (JMSC) at HongKong University who issued the invitations and madethe logistical arrangements in Hong Kong. I must ac-knowledge Ying Chan, the Director of the JMSC, whoshowed her strong support for the forum by graciouslyallowing me to monopolize Ray Cheung’s time for muchof the preparatory work. The challenges of coordinat-ing a conference over a long distance can be strenuous.Despite some late night harried phone calls, workingwith Ray served to strengthen our friendship and in-crease my admiration of him.

In addition to all of the enthusiastic participants, Iwish to express my gratitude to a number of peoplewho helped the forum run so smoothly in Hong Kong.Yvonne Cheng and Alice Chow from the JMSC togetherwith Clair Twigg (Wilson Center) kept the financialaffairs and other crucial conference logistics in order.Other JMSC staff were invaluable: Nailene Chou Wiestas principle organizer of the journalist panels and thepost-forum jiaozi feast; Li Cho as behind-the-scenescoordinator and troubleshooter extraordinaire; JohnYoung as the ubiquitous photographer; and Holly Guoas a patient note taker. Smiles to Eric Zusman whotook a break from dissertation fieldwork in NorthernChina to haul supplies, take notes, and be a cheerfulgofer. Wu Fengshi not only helped at the Hong Kongforum, but she also has worked tirelessly with me com-piling, editing, and translating the publication andnever once laughing at my creative translations of theChinese texts! Sun Liang and Qin Xin kept Fengshiand me sane with their editorial assistance, and an ex-tra cheer for Richard Thomas, ECSP desktop publisher,who eagerly dove into laying out a publication in a“language that looks like hieroglyphs.”

IIIntroduction

Green NGO and Environmental Journalist Forum Participants

OrganizersWoodrow Wilson CenterJennifer L. Turner, Senior Project AssociateClair Twigg, Project AssistantFengshi Wu, Research AssistantEric Zusman, Research Assistant

Centre of Asian Studies, Hong Kong UniversityS.L.Wong, DirectorMelissa Curley, Researcher

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, Hong KongUniversityYuen Ying Chan, DirectorNailene Chou Wiest, Assistant ProfessorGene Mustain, Assistant ProfessorRay Cheung, Program ManagerSai Chan, Honorary ProfessorYvonne Cheng, AssistantHolly Guo, VolunteerJohn Young, VolunteerLi Cho, Volunteer

Mainland ChinaNGOsCHEN Qing, South-North Institute for Sustainable

DevelopmentDING Jing,World Wide Fund for Nature - ChinaFANG Jing, Friends of NatureHU Jia, Tibetan Antelope Information CenterJIN Jiaman, Green Earth VolunteersLIANG Congjie, Friends of NatureLU Hongyan, Environmental Volunteers Association,

Sichuan UniversitySONG Qinghua, Global Village of BeijingSUN Dehui, Black-Necked Crane AssociationWANG Yongchen, Green Earth VolunteersXI Zhinong, Green PlateauYANG Jiongli, Friends of Earth, GuizhouYANG Xin, GreenRiver

JournalistsFANG Sanwen, Nanfang WeekendHU Kanping, China Green TimesSUN Xuan, Yangcheng Evening NewsSUN Yanjun, Tianjin People Radio StationZHANG Kejia, China Youth DailyZHU Zhongjie, Guangzhou Daily

TaiwanNGOsCHEN Man-Li, Homemakers Union and FoundationFU Chia Cheih, Green Formosa FrontHUANG Ming Hsuan, Wild Bird Federation,

TaiwanLI Ken Cheng, National Teacher AssociationSimon Liao, Wild Bird Federation, TaiwanLIN Mawnan, Wild Bird Federation, TaiwanLIN Shen Tzung, Eco-Conservation AllianceWei Chieh LAE, Green Citizen Action UnionHSU Jen-Shiu, Society of WildernessCHANG Hunglin, Society of WildernessCHUNG Mingkuang, Meinung People Association

JournalistsYu-Tzu CHIU, Taipei TimesLIAO Yunchang, Taiwan Independent TimesLIN Jusen, United Daily NewsYU Liping, Public Television Service Foundation

Hong KongNGOs and JournalistsAnthony CHAN, Messengers of Green ConsciousnessSannie Chan Lit Fong, Green Peng Chau AssociationHO Wai Chi, GreenpeaceLisa Hopkinson, Civic ExchangeKay KU, The Hong Kong Council of Social ServiceNG Cho Nan, Conservancy AssociationNorris NG, Conservancy AssociationWONG Kai Yi, Tai-O Culture and Environment

GroupVicky LAU, Produce Green FoundationPlato K.T. YIP, Friends of the Earth (HK)

Journalists and AcademicsWilliam F. Barron, Centre of Urban Planning &

Environmental Management, Hong KongUniversity

A. Roger Chan, Centre of Urban Planning & Envi-ronmental Management, Hong Kong University

Kai Yan Choi, Hong Kong Shu Yan CollegeYok-shiu F. LEE, Department of Geography, Hong

Kong UniversityWONG Koon Kwai, Department of Geography,

Hong Kong Baptist UniversityOlga Wong, Ming Pao Daily

IIIHong Kong Conference Report

International ParticipantsBarbara Finamore, Natural Resources Defense

CouncilKamilla H. Kolhus, Royal Norwegian Consulate

General

Green NGO and Environmental Journalist ForumApril 9-10, 2001

Hong Kong Jockey Club Beas River Country Club Resort

Sponsored byThe Woodrow Wilson International Center for ScholarsThe Centre for Asian Studies, University of Hong Kong

The Journalism and Media Studies Centre, University of Hong Kong

Monday April 9, 20019:00 - 9:30 Welcoming SessionJennifer L. Turner, Senior Project Associate at the Woodrow Wilson

CenterS.L. Wong, Director of the Centre for Asian Studies, Hong Kong

UniversityYuen Ying Chan, Director of the Journalism and Media Studies

Centre, Hong Kong University

9:45 - 11:45 Environmental Movement and NGO Trends inHong Kong, China, and Taiwan

Co-Chairs: Ng Cho Nam and Jennifer TurnerYok-shiu F. Lee, Department of Geography, Hong Kong UniversityNg Cho Nam, Department of Geography, Hong Kong UniversityJin Jiaman, Chinese Environmental Research InstituteLin Shen Tzung, Eco-conservation Alliance

1:45 - 3:30 PanelsPanel 1: NGO Networking and PartneringChair: Joyce Fu, Green Formosa FrontWei Chieh Lae, Green Citizen Action AllianceChen Qing, South-North Institute for Sustainable DevelopmentPlato K.T. Yip, Friends of Earth Hong Kong

Panel 2: Description of Environmental Journalism in China,Taiwan, and Hong Kong

Chair: Wang Yongchen, Green Earth VolunteersHu Kanping, Green China TimesLin Ju Sen, United Taiwan NewsOlga Wang, Ming Pao

3:45-5:15 RoundtablesRoundtable 1: NGO Environmental Education MethodsChair: Lu Hongyan, Environmental Volunteer Association

Liang Congjie, Friends of NatureChung Ming Kuang, Meinung Conservation AssociationSannie Chan Lit Fong, Peng Chau Island Association

Roundtable 2: Effective Strategies and Techniques forReporting Environmental News

Nailene Chou Weist, Journalism and Media Studies Centre, HongKong University

Tuesday April 10, 20019:30 - 12:30 Morning WorkshopsJournalist Workshop on Air Quality ReportingFacilitator: Nailene Chou WiestSai Chen, Honorary Professor of the Journalism and Media Studies

Centre, HKU

Green NGO Capacity Building RoundtableCo-Chairs: Chang Hunglin (Society of Wilderness) and LuHongyan (Environmental Volunteers Association)Simon Liao, Wild Bird Federation, TaiwanWong Kai Yi, Tai-O Culture Workshop

2:00 - 3:00 NGO and Journalist DialogueFacilitators: Nailene Chou Wiest and Chang Hunglin

3:15 - 4:15 The Visual ImageChair: Jennifer L. TurnerHsu Jen-Shiu, Society of WildernessXi Zhinong, Green Plateau InstituteSun Dehui, Black-necked Crane Association

4:15 - 4:30 Closing SessionCo-Chairs: Jennifer L. Turner and Nailene Chou Wiest

Randy Kritkausky, ECOLOGIAAndrea Quong, Independent ResearcherPeter Riggs, Rockefeller Brothers FundHumphrey Wou, Kenney Watershed FoundationZHANG Ji-qiang, W. Alton Jones Foundation

IVIntroduction

Table of Contents

Preface IParticipant List IIConference Schedule III

I. Environmental Movement and NGO Trends in Mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong 1Editor Commentary: Development of Environmental NGOs in Mainland China, Taiwan and Hong KongThe Emergence and Development of Environmental NGOs in Hong KongThe Growing Importance of Public Participation in China Environmental MovementThe Evolution of Taiwan Environmental Movement

II. NGO Networking and Partnering 12Editor Commentary: NGO Networking and Partnering StrategiesGreen Citizen Action Alliance and the Anti-Nuclear Movement in TaiwanBuilding Local Partnerships: the South-North Institute for Sustainable DevelopmentThe Changing Style of Environmental NGOs in Hong Kong

III. NGO Environmental Education Methods 17Editor Commentary: The Environmental Education Priorities in Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong KongFriends of Nature and the Tibetan Antelope BusMeinung: Starting From a Small VillagePreserving Tradition and Promoting Environmental Education

IV. Green NGO Capacity Building 22Overview of Day Two at the Green NGO and Environmental Journalist ForumSmall Group Discussion: Membership Management, Public Mobilization, and FundraisingThe Organizational Model of the Wild Bird Federation, Taiwan

V. Environmental Journalism in Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong 27Green Voices in Greater China: Harmony and DissonanceHarmony in Diversity: The Relationship Between Environmental Journalists and Green NGOs in ChinaFacing a Half-Transformed Society

VI. Feature Boxes on Participant NGOs 331. Black-necked Crane Association2. Friends of Green3. Friends of the Earth, Guizhou4. Environment Volunteers Association, Sichuan University5. Green Plateau6. Tibetan Antelope Information Center7. GreenRiver8. Global Village of Beijing9. Homemakers’ Union and Foundation10. Green Formosa Front11. Society of Wilderness12. Kaohsiung City Teachers Ecological Education Center13. Hong Kong Environmental NGOs

VII. Cross-Regional Civil Society Dialogue and Environmental Confidence Building 44

1Hong Kong Conference Report

Editor Commentary:Development of Environmental NGOs in Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong KongJennifer L. Turner and Fengshi Wu, Woodrow Wilson Center

intimately intertwined with the democratic movement.Later in the 1980s, environmental groups began formingaround conservation and anti-nuclear issues. Today, over300 environmental NGOs operate throughout Taiwanactive in a broad spectrum of issues––pollution preven-tion, environmental education, nature conservation, andorganic farming. As discussed in Lae’s presentation, someTaiwanese environmental NGOs are very involved ingrassroots protests and projects while others act as watch-dogs or advisors for the Taiwanese government in the de-sign and implementation of environmental policies.

Mainland China’s environmental NGOs are the rela-tive newcomers in the region, with the first group formedin 1994 (15 years after the first quasi-nongovernmentalenvironmental group was created). The Mainland Chi-nese environmental groups are homegrown and are gen-erally non-confrontational organizations. Notably, Main-land green groups arose in a time when international en-vironmental groups began to increase their presence inChina. International environmental groups have partneredwith various governmental agencies and research institu-tions, as well as Chinese NGOs. Partnerships betweendomestic and foreign green groups are much more com-mon in Mainland China than either Hong Kong orTaiwan. Today there are approximately 40 domesticenvironmental groups registered with the government, butsince the registration process often can take years, thereare most likely many more NGOs operating while wait-ing in the wings for official legal status or simply imple-menting projects as nonprofit corporations. The numberof individuals undertaking independent environmentalactivity at the local level is possibly quite high.

Cooperative Versus Contentious StrategiesOverall, Hong Kong and Taiwanese environmental

NGOs have shifted their operation strategies from a con-tentious to a somewhat more cooperative relationship with

Section IEnvironmental Movements and NGO Trends in

Mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong

The three talks presented below opened the two-dayGreen NGO and Environmental Journalist Forum in HongKong. These talks presented an overview of green NGOdevelopment in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Tai-wan and painted pictures of three diverse environmentalmovements. Since these movements developed indepen-dently in different political and social environments it isnot surprising that there are marked variations in the char-acter and scope of environmental NGO activities in eacharea. Drawing from these three talks and our work re-searching and setting up this forum in Hong Kong, wepresent this mini-essay as an attempt to pull together andcompare some of the diverse development trends of envi-ronmental movements in Mainland China, Taiwan, andHong Kong.

The Rise in Environmental NGOsWithin Greater China, Hong Kong environmental

NGOs emerged earliest––the first group was formedin 1968. Similar to events in Taiwan, environmentalactivists initially demanded better government account-ability on pollution (particularly air) issues. Like theirTaiwanese counterparts, environmental groups in HongKong were viewed as radical by their government. Fol-lowing the opening of political access to civil society groupsin the mid-1980s, many of the Hong Kong environmen-tal activists have softened their strategies vis-à-vis the gov-ernment. Today, there are several dozen well-establishedenvironmental groups in Hong Kong, focusing on region-wide or community issues. Many of the region-wideNGOs work closely with the government in shaping en-vironmental policies and regulations.

The early Taiwanese environmental activists were (andmany remain) considerably more “fiery” and politicizedthan their Mainland or Hong Kong counterparts. In fact,the Taiwanese environmental movement, which beganwith pollution and land use protests in the mid-1980s, is

2Environmental Movements and NGO Trends

the government. As Drs. Lee and Ng pointed out in theirtalk, the core Hong Kong green groups have become mem-bers of government advisory councils and in effect havebecome apolitical organizations. Hong Kong groups meetregularly at government advisory meetings and do peri-odically unite for joint campaigns to pressure the govern-ment. During the most recent Long Valley campaign acoalition of environmental NGOs in Hong Kong was verysuccessful in using the news media to help stop govern-ment plans to build a railroad through a fragile wetlandarea. In addition to building a sustainable working rela-tionship with government agencies, many Hong KongNGOs also are trying to reach a balanced and mutually

supportive relationshipwith the private sector.

Taiwanese greengroups join togethermuch more often thantheir Hong Kong coun-terparts to stage anti-gov-ernment protests. Theanti-nuclear (See Lae’stalk in the networkingsection) and anti-incin-erator protests illustratethe dynamism of jointNGO activities in Tai-wan. Taiwanese NGOs,particularly those work-ing with rural communi-ties, also are very willingto protest against facto-ries or development com-panies that endanger theland or health of local

people. Some environmental NGO activists and the Tai-wanese Environmental Protection Administration (TEPA)officials meet for periodic informal discussions, which canbecome contentious exchanges, but overall the TEPA offi-cials and NGO activists try to remain friendly. SomeNGOs in Taiwan compete successfully for governmentgrants, which enable them to do projects that promoteenvironmental protection. Many Taiwanese NGOs be-lieve they play a key role in lobbying and suing govern-ment officials to implement and enforce environmentallaws. Moreover, Taiwanese environmental NGOs are verymedia savvy in their campaigns.

Mainland Chinese groups do not stage protests againstthe government or factories. Instead, many MainlandChinese environmental NGOs have built up cooperativerelations with governmental agencies and institutes. Theseclose linkages are not simply due to the requirement that

NGOs must have a government “mother-in-law” spon-sor, but also because many of the individuals who createdgreen NGOs in Mainland China wished to help increasethe government’s capacity to protect the environment. AsJin Jiaman noted in her talk, some groups work with localgovernments and citizens to create waste reduction andrecycling programs. Jin also mentioned that there are alarge number of unregistered groups that arise spontane-ously to address a local issue in the community. Suchgroups of loose volunteers often operate quite indepen-dently from government, but generally do not aim to chal-lenge government authority. Green student groups haveincreased from 1 in the mid-1980s to 120 today, whichcould help to cultivate a growing pool of environmentalactivists ready to create new civil society organizations overthe next decades.

Future Development TrendsDrawing from discussions in the Hong Kong Green

NGO and Environmental Journalist Forum and from one-on-one conversations with these environmentalists, wediscovered striking differences in the current developmenttrends and priorities of NGOs in each of the three areas.Hong Kong environmental NGOs will most likely main-tain their close consultative relationship with governmentand continue to work to improve the professionalizationof their organizations. A number of Hong Kong greengroups appear very willing to partner with or receive sup-port from the local business community. Several HongKong groups expressed the desire to undertake more workin Mainland China and with the growth in environmen-tal groups across the border they see greater opportunitiesto do so.

Because Taiwan lacks diplomatic recognition from amajority of the world’s countries and therefore does nothave full membership in many international organizations,Taiwanese environmental NGOs do not enjoy as muchfinancial assistance and attention from outside institutionsand foundations as their Mainland counterparts. Onenotable exception is the Wild Bird Federation, Taiwan,which was able to successfully join the International WildBird Federation. After the major democratic transition inTaiwan, many environmental activists opted to work onenvironmental issues within the government sector. Nev-ertheless, a large number of NGO activists still believe itis crucial to empower local communities to protect theenvironment and to monitor local policy implementationand environmental threats posed by industries and devel-opers. Therefore it is not surprising that a greater percent-age of Taiwanese environmental NGOs have strong link-ages and accountability to local communities than doHong Kong and Mainland green groups.

Jin Jiaman (right, Chinese Environ-mental Research Institute) and ChenMan-Li (Homemakers’ Union andFoundation) enjoy a laugh during anicebreaking activity between panels.

3Hong Kong Conference Report

The lack of access to international forums and fund-ing indicates that Taiwanese groups will continue to fo-cus their energy on internal rather than regional or globalenvironmental issues. Some Taiwanese groups expressedan interest in working with Mainland Chinese environ-mentalists, but previously had lacked the opportunity tomeet their counterparts across the Straits. In fact, in theearly stages of setting up this Hong Kong forum someTaiwanese environmentalists told the organizers that theywere surprised and pleased to learn Mainland China hadany green groups.

Mainland environmental NGOs are markedly differ-ent from their Hong Kong and Taiwanese counterpartsin that they have developed in an environment of greater“transnational networks.” In other words, the MainlandNGOs have (and will probably increasingly) benefit fromcontact and assistance from international environmental

NGOs, foundations, and multilateral organizations. Inshort, the future of the Mainland environmental move-ment may be greatly shaped by the “transnationalization”of the environmental NGOs. How partial dependenceon international support will shape development of Main-land NGOs in the future is a question that cannot beanswered today. Despite some external funding support,the role of the Chinese government (at both the centraland local levels) will remain significant for Mainland en-vironmental NGOs over the next decade. As environmen-tal NGOs continue to build their partnerships with gov-ernment organizations and avoid direct confrontation,government agencies and institutes throughout Chinacould act as facilitators for green civil society groups andcontinue to grant the NGOs greater space in which tooperate.

The Emergence and Development of Environmental NGOs in Hong KongYok-shiu F. Lee and Ng Cho Nam, Associate Professors, Department of Geography,Hong Kong University

In the 1970s, the Hong Kong government viewedthe few existing environmental nongovernmental organi-zations (NGOs) as radical pressure groups, but today someof these same groups sit on government advisory coun-cils. In their talk, which opened the Green NGO and En-vironmental Journalist Forum, Dr. Yok-shiu F. Lee and Dr.Ng Cho Nam discussed why the majority of Hong KongNGOs have adopted a non-confrontational, consensualapproach to environmental protection activities. In theiranalysis of the historical development of the environmentalNGO sector, Drs. Lee and Ng argued that environmen-tal groups in Hong Kong have become less politicized,even apolitical organizations. The primary factors con-tributing to the “apoliticization” of green NGOs in HongKong have been: (1) the changing structure of politicalopportunities and constraints in Hong Kong; (2) the or-ganizational weaknesses of the NGOs; and (3) the cul-tural and ideological shifts within the Hong Kong pub-lic.

Major Environmental NGOs in Hong KongThere are two kinds of environmental NGOs in Hong

Kong: those concentrating on territory-wide issues andthose focusing on locality-specific concerns. Territory-wideNGOs include the Conservancy Association, Friends of theEarth (Hong Kong), World Wildlife Fund for Nature HongKong, Green Power, Hong Kong Bird Watching-Society, andGreenpeace Hong Kong. These NGOs are distinguished

by a concern for issues that affect Hong Kong and theworld. Locality-specific NGOs include the Tsing Yi Con-cern Group, Green Peng Chau Association, and Green LantauAssociation. These NGOs are concerned about narrower,often community-based issues. The major territory-widegroups are outlined below.

Founded in 1968, the Conservancy Association is HongKong’s oldest environmental NGO. Its membership ini-tially was comprised of young professionals who soughtto apply pressure on the government to institute stricterpollution control and conservation laws. In the 1970s,the Hong Kong government officials perceived this groupas radical because of its adversarial approach. This im-pression changed in the 1980s, however, as the Conser-vancy Association softened its critiques of the governmentand some of its members were invited to sit on thegovernment’s Advisory Committee on EnvironmentalPollution.

Friends of the Earth, Hong Kong was established in1983. Its membership base was initially made up of ex-patriates but currently consists of local community mem-bers. In the early years following its inception, Friends ofEarth, Hong Kong engaged in mass mobilization activities,such as the anti-nuclear Daya Bay campaign. Recently ithas focused more on environmental education activities,partnerships with corporations, and legal challengesagainst the Hong Kong government.

The World Wildlife Fund for Nature Hong Kong office

4Environmental Movements and NGO Trends

was set up in 1981. Expatriate businessmen and con-servationists continue to make up the majority of itsmembership. The group has focused on managing theMai Po wetlands and working on wildlife protectionissues. Young, middle class professionals formed GreenPower in 1988. In its early years of development thegroup actively promoted a green lifestyle. This focushas changed in the 1990s, from a more idealistic to amore realistic approach, as Green Power has becomemore engaged in social activism and policy criticism.

A relative newcomer to the environmental NGO sec-tor in Hong Kong is Greenpeace Hong Kong, which wasformed in 1997. The activities of Greenpeace in HongKong mirror the kinds of protests Greenpeace groups em-ploy worldwide—adopting a confrontational approachto protest broad industrial pollution and hazardous wasteissues. Greenpeace Hong Kong differs from all the abovemajor green organizations, in that it often addresses theissues well beyond the borders of Hong Kong, such astoxic discharge in the Pearl River Delta (which ultimatelyflows into Hong Kong).

Modes of Green NGO OperationModes of green NGO operation in Hong Kong can

be broken down into four categories: (1) environmentaleducation, (2) legal challenges, (3) policy advocacy, and(4) criticism and protest. In recent years, the types of ac-tivities that NGOs have pursued most frequently in HongKong have been environmental education and legal chal-lenges. Twenty years ago more contentious modes of pro-test, criticism, and lobbying were more common.

Evidence of environmental education activities canbe found in the efforts of Friends of Earth, Hong Kong tolaunch waste recycling programs and tree planting activi-ties. The group also has tried to bring eco-friendly mes-sages to local schools. Similarly, World Wildlife for FundNature (HK) has tried to incorporate education efforts intoits Mai Po wetlands conservation program. The HongKong government has provided the impetus for many ofthese educational projects by creating an environmentaland conservation fund of $50 million (USD). Corporatesponsorship has been another source of funding for theseand other environmental educational projects.

Hong Kong environmental activists also have encoun-tered success though the legal system via petitions, signaturecampaigns, and judicial review. Judicial review was used tohalt progress on the Sha Lo Tung project, a property deal thatwould have meant building on parklands. In another case, afinal court decision should be announced in 2001 on plans toconstruct the Long Valley railroad through wetlands in theNew Territories. In this case, a coalition of Hong KongNGOs banded together to use a statute in the Environ-

mental Impact Assessment Law that requires NGO con-sultation to bring the case under review before construc-tion begins. This coalition of NGOs also mounted an ex-tensive and lively media campaign against the Long Val-ley railroad.

The Shift from Contentious to Consensual ApproachesA consensual approach refers to a non-radical, non-

confrontational activities promoting environmental pro-tection. Dr. Lee and Dr. Ng cited three reasons to explainwhy green groups in Hong Kong increasingly have adopteda more consensual approach. The first, and perhaps mostinfluential cause of this shift has been the changing struc-ture of political opportunities and constraints. Other keyfactors are the continued organizational weaknesses of theNGOs and the cultural and ideological processes of thepeople in Hong Kong.

During the late 1970s to middle 1980s, liberaliza-tion and democratization altered the political climate ofHong Kong. In part due to this more open political mood,the Hong Kong government became more receptive tonongovernmental organizations. Consequently, some fac-tions within the government began to build informal alli-ances with NGOs and their representatives. In the 1990s,these roles became institutionalized in the consultativemachinery of the colonial government. Today, althoughNGOs have gained a secure place at the table, they alsoare inundated with duties and obligations that come withtheir institutionalized role. Notably, NGO members arehandling many of the consultative details voluntarily with-out compensation. The NGO members’ greater access andinfluence within the political machinery, combined withbeing bogged down with detailed consultative work, havecontributed to this the non-confrontational approach ofenvironmental NGOs today.

Hong Kong NGOs also must deal with organizationalweaknesses that have led them to soften their confronta-tional approaches. The main weaknesses are small mem-bership bases and dependence on corporate and govern-ment funding. First, most of the NGOs in Hong Konghave only a small number of members and must rely on alimited staff. Many of the members that join NGOs havea consumerist attitude. In short, members are not so muchdonating to NGOs to become involved in the organiza-tion as much as purchasing a part of the organization’ssuccess. When results are not immediately forthcomingthey often loathe making membership payments again.The need to please their membership base has led somegreen groups to avoid risky radical protest approaches andfocus on providing their members with activities, infor-mation, and evidence of successful efforts. The growingdependence of many Hong Kong NGOs on corporate

5Hong Kong Conference Report

and governmental funding has also played a role in dilut-ing confrontational methods.

Cultural and ideological processes are the final cat-egory of factors that have led Hong Kong NGOs to be-come more consensual vis-à-vis the government. Shapedin part by Chinese culture, colonial rule, and other his-torical factors, there is an underlying predisposition withinthe Hong Kong public to avoid confrontation. This pre-disposition is reinforced by the perception that environ-mental problems are not urgent and therefore should betreated gradually. Moreover, many in the public and thegovernment tend to define environmental problems ascaused by technical and not political shortcomings. There-fore, the misperception exists that environmental prob-

lems can be solved with the proper management tech-niques and the installation of clean technology equipment.Political involvement is thus not required.

The speakers concluded that over the past two de-cades Hong Kong has seen an exponential growth in greenNGOs. In addition to the political and social factors thathave softened the approach of green groups, the growthin the NGO sector has contributed to greater organiza-tional professionalization and functional specification ofthese groups. All of these factors have contributed to theevolution of Hong Kong environmental groups, whichare now less confrontational and more inclined to coop-erate with the government. They describe this evolutionas the apoliticization of the environmental moment inHong Kong.

The Growing Importance of Public Participation in China’s Environmental MovementJin Jiaman, Co-founder, Green Earth Volunteers and Researcher, China Environmental ScienceResearch Institute

In the late 1990s, the Chinese public significantlyincreased its participation in environmental protectioncampaigns and activities sponsored by nongovernmentalenvironmental organizations. This voluntary participationin green activities marks a turning point in the environ-mental movement in China. Instead of simply followinggovernment-sponsored mobilization campaigns, privatecitizens are joining forces with nongovernmental organi-zations (NGOs) to do green work. This new area of pub-lic activism in China has attracted interest within Chi-nese society and from overseas governments, foundations,and NGOs.

1. MODELS OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL

PROTECTION

In Mainland China, the NGOs involved in thecountry’s growing environmental movement can be di-vided into two categories: (1) institutionalized organiza-tions; and (2) groups of individuals gathering together(sometimes spontaneously) to do environmental protec-tion activities. In China, the former organizations mustregister with a governmental institution, while the latter,more spontaneous groups generally do not formally reg-ister their organizations. Both of these categories containa broad diversity of organizations that differ in scope,methods, and targeted populations. While Chinese envi-ronmental NGOs do not share the same history as theirWestern counterparts, China’s NGO community is at leastas diverse and complex as those in more developed coun-tries.

1.1 Types and Activities of Formal EnvironmentalOrganization

• Governmental and Quasi-Governmental Environmen-tal Social Organizations. Before the reform period beganin 1979, all environmental organizations were part of theChinese government. Most of the staff in these organiza-tions belonged to government agencies, and all funds werefrom the state. Beginning in the early 1980s, the centralgovernment devolved greater administrative and finan-cial authority to lower-level governments. In this periodof institutional reform, the Chinese government alsoopened political opportunities for NGOs to be created.In order to regulate this new and growing non-state sec-tor, the Chinese government promulgated the “Tempo-rary Social Organization Registration Management Regu-lations” in 1989 and revised these regulations in 1998.

Under these regulations, social organizations are re-quired to formally register with a government agency inorder to become an independent and legal social organi-zation. Some of the first organizations to be certified in-dependent NGOs were originally created by the Chinesegovernment itself (e.g., government organized NGOs orGONGOs). For example, the Chinese Environmental Sci-ence Institute (founded in 1979) is China’s earliest andlargest nonprofit organization that carries out environ-mental activities.1 This institute usually organizes nation-wide activities and campaigns, in which high-level gov-ernment officials participate. This high-level political sup-port has meant that Chinese Environmental Science Insti-tute activities generally receive considerable news mediaattention and have been effective in raising public aware-

6Environmental Movements and NGO Trends

ness of environmental issues. Today, this group is regis-tered with the Cultural Affairs Bureau and its affiliatedprofessional agencies are the Chinese Scientific Associa-tion and the State Environmental Protection Adminis-tration. The institute has become more autonomous: whileit completely depended on government funding in its firstdecade, in the 1990s, its state support gradually decreased.In 1997, government support had dropped to 35 percentof the organization’s budget.

• Citizen Environmental Social Organizations. Thiscategory encompasses groups established by individualcitizens. Because these citizen groups are self-funded, theyare free to set up their own kind of environmental protec-tion organizations. The first example of such a group isthe Chinese Cultural Library—Green Cultural Branch, bet-ter known under the name Friends of Nature. A historyprofessor, Liang Congjie, created Friends of Nature inMarch 1994, and the Cultural Affairs Bureau approvedits registration. This organization has become an umbrellagroup for many individual environmentalists throughoutChina who are engaged in environmental education andresearch. Nevertheless, the procedure for NGOs to ob-tain full legal status is much more difficult than for thoseGONGOs with strong government ties. Many of theNGOs falling into this category would rather register withlower-level governmental agencies to avoid difficulties.

• Citizen Nonprofit Enterprises. These consist mainlyof organizations that an individual has succeeded in reg-istering under an industrial management bureau. In prac-tice, these organizations do not pursue profit in under-taking their environmental protection activities. The mainreason some environmental activists choose this registra-tion route is because it is often nearly impossible for themto find a sponsoring “mother-in-law” (popo) governmen-tal agency. The first such green group registered as a non-profit enterprise is Beijing’s Global Village EnvironmentalCultural Center—better known as Global Village Beijing(GVB). Liao Xiaoyi (who had recently returned fromstudying in the United States) founded GVB in March of1996 under the approval of the Industry and CommerceDepartment of the Beijing Municipal government. Theprimary focus of this group is to encourage and to edu-cate the public to adopt a greener lifestyle. GVB uses tele-vision, radio, and print media as well as community ac-tivities to promote the idea that successful protection ofthe environment depends on the participation of allpeople. Green Plateau, an NGO in Yunnan Province, isanother example of a nonprofit enterprise. After a year’seffort, Shi Lihong and her colleagues failed to registerGreen Plateau as an NGO; but eventually they launched

their conservation work by registering their organization(See feature box section) as a corporation under the BeijingMunicipal government.

• University Social Organizations. Students and fac-ulty in universities and professional institutes usually es-tablish these organizations. The university administration,rather than government bureaus, grants approval for stu-dent-run environmental social organizations. One exampleis Tsinghua University’s Green Association, established inApril 1995. Today this group has a membership of 500students who come from a variety of degree programs.Similar to other such student groups in China, Green As-sociation carries out most of its activities within the uni-versity. Student green group activities have included es-tablishing student environmental photography contests,organizing environmental information lectures, and cam-paigning to abolish the use of Styrofoam and disposablechopsticks in university cafeterias. Such student associa-tions depend on three types of funding sources: (1) theuniversity, (2) membership fees, and (3) donations frompublic and local industries. University environmentalgroups are developing quickly and have grown in num-ber from a handful in the mid-1980s to nearly 120 today.They also have spread from a few major cities to universi-ties in most provinces. After student members graduate,they bring to society a greater environmental awareness.The impact these new graduates will have on the devel-opment of the environmental movement in China shouldnot be underestimated. (Editor’s Note: See feature box onEnvironmental Volunteers Association for information on amajor student group in Sichuan Province)

1.2 Individuals and Volunteers• Informal Citizen Environmental Organizations. Such

groups generally consist of volunteers who periodicallygather together to undertake some kind of environmen-tal protection work. Notably, this kind of organizationdoes not obtain formal registration. Such volunteer groupsare not always stable or sustainable organizations. Onerelatively successful volunteer group is Beijing’s GreenEarth Volunteers. This volunteer group is dependent onenthusiastic volunteers who use their free time to partici-pate in environmental activities such as tree planting andenvironmental awareness education work. The numberof participants in their various activities has ranged fromseveral dozen to one thousand. Green Earth Volunteers alsohas created a journalist salon, which consists of regularmeetings to help educate journalists on how to improvetheir coverage of environmental issues. (Editor’s Note: Formore information on this group contact the founder WangYongchen at: wangyc54@sina.com) Another example of a

7Hong Kong Conference Report

volunteer organization is the Tibetan Antelope Informa-tion Center (See feature box section).

• Neighborhood Environmental Organizations. Suchgroups consist of citizens living within the same districtsor neighborhoods who voluntarily join together to moni-tor environmental quality in their area. For example, inFuzhou Municipality (Fujian Province), 600 citizens from27 streets and 18 townships have created their own envi-ronmental group, the New Harbor Environmental Moni-toring Team.

• Suing Pollution Violators. As the legal system inChina has grown stronger, some citizens who are victimsof pollution have sued the responsible parties. Using thecourts has become a new method for the public to par-ticipate in environmental protection. In one case, theTsingdao municipal planning agency (in Shandong Prov-ince) in the year 2000 approved a proposal to build resi-dential housing units a mere 10 meters from the oceanshore. Local citizens opposed this project because thesebuildings would not only damage the coastal ecosystem,but also would destroy the existing ocean view and accessto the beaches. Over 300 people sued the Tsingdao mu-nicipal planning agency for violating their environmentalrights. This kind of class action case plays a role in moni-toring environmental protection work and enhances pub-lic participation. Moreover, this form of participation isgreatly pushing forward environmental education. (Forinformation on a relatively new nonprofit Center for LegalAssistance to Pollution Victims in Beijing that helps indi-viduals take environmental cases to court contact itsfounder Wang Canfa at clapv@public2.east.net.cn)

In China, public participation in registered environ-mental NGOs and informal groups of green volunteers isgrowing. These two types of groups are similar in thatthey are nonprofit and must raise all or most of their funds.The difference between the two is that the formal organi-zations generally possess independent legal standing andmaintain a permanent staff, while volunteer groups arerarely registered, lack permanent staff, and often do notpossess legal standing. Regardless of these differences, bothtypes of environmental groups are creating a broad vari-ety of activities to educate and engage the Chinese pub-lic. The following section outlines key types of publicparticipation created by both registered and unregisteredenvironmental NGOs in China.

2. MOBILIZING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

2.1 Environmental Education Activities• Television and Radio Programs. Some environmen-

tal NGOs are capable of independently producing edu-cational TV program. For example, Global Village Beijingproduces “Environmental Protection Hour,” a weekly 30-minutes environmental education series on Chinese Cen-tral Television Channel 7 (CCTV-7) that has attractedconsiderable positive attention from both the governmentand the public. In addition, increasing demand for envi-ronmental information is pushing state-run TV andradio stations to create more such programming. For ex-ample, China’s Educational Television has a program titled“Green Culture and China,” and CCTV-7 airs a showcalled “Environmental Protection Hour.” Some NGOsthat do not make their own programs act as consultantsfor TV and radio stations on particular environmentalissues.

• Newspapers and Magazines. There are two nation-wide newspapers specializing in environmental reporting:China Environment News and China Green Times. Someeditors and journalists from these two newspapers are in-volved heavily in environmental NGO activities. (Editor’sNote: See Hu Kanping’s article in the journalist section ofthese proceedings) Some newspapers that cater to the gen-eral public also are beginning to adopt environmentalcolumns as well. For example, China Youth Daily has acolumn titled “Global Village Citizen.” China Women’sDaily has a regular column titled “Environmental Protec-tion Matters to Every Family.” Environmental activistsand scholarly experts often are interviewed and introducedto the readers in these columns.

2.2 Research and Advocacy• Environmental Surveys. Friends of Nature has been

particularly successful in undertaking extensive environ-mental surveys in the past three years, such as: (1) a Chinanewspaper environmental awareness survey, (2) a surveyof citizen’s environmental awareness in Beijing, and (3) asurvey of environmental groups at Chinese universities.Various environmental NGOs in China conduct differ-ent surveys based on their own expertise and capacity.Findings from these surveys provide valuable informa-tion for policy recommendations and advocacy.

• Policy Research and Demonstration Projects. TheBeijing Environmental and Development Institute (BEDI)carries out special research on natural resource manage-ment and market-based policies for pollution control.BEDI is also undertaking demonstration projects for anSO

2 emissions trading program. The South-North Insti-

tute for Sustainable Development (SNISD, a Beijing-basedenvironmental NGO) has been carrying out projects thatcombine research and community-level development

8Environmental Movements and NGO Trends

projects. An example of SNISD’s work is a biogas gen-erating system project to promote applied research onclean energy and efficient buildings for rural commu-nities. This type of activity requires expertise in sophis-ticated technologies, but such work could have a greatinfluence on local governmental environmentalpolicymaking and implementation.

3. THE CHALLENGES AND POTENTIAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL

ORGANIZATIONS AND VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES IN CHINA

• Policy and Resource Problems. In the area of policy,the two new regulations that merit discussion are the 1998“Social Organization Registration Management Rules”and the “The Temporary Regulations for the Registra-tion and Management of Non-Industrial Enterprise Citi-zen-Run Work Units.” On one hand, these regulationsprovide a true opportunity for nonprofit citizen groupsto develop and give China’s nongovernmental and non-profit institutions a new starting point. On the other hand,these regulations stipulate that if there already exists aprofessional organization or a similar social organizationdealing with a certain issue, one cannot establish a groupfocusing on that issue. For example, if there were alreadya quasi-governmental organization doing educationalwork on coastal waters, an NGO wishing to register todo similar work would not be able to get approval from aregistration management organization (usually a govern-ment agency). This regulation limits the number of civilsociety environmental organizations and constitutes amajor hindrance to the development of environmentalorganizations. One positive trend is that, following theincreased devolution of authority to lower-level govern-ments; some local governments are giving official andsemi-official environmental organizations greater oppor-tunities to develop.

• Funding Challenges. Solving funding problems is amajor challenge for China’s nongovernmental sector. Inother countries, NGOs often apply to foundations forfunding. This channel is not that common currently inChina, for the country has few domestic foundations.Therefore, Chinese NGOs do not have a reliable sourceof local funding. However, some overseas foundations have

begun to support China’s NGO sector, and this sup-port has become a major catalyst for NGO develop-ment.

• NGO Capacity Building. The management of pub-lic and partially public environmental organizations isrelatively good. Although these groups are independentfrom their government agencies, they already possess skillsand systems for management, accounting, and fund gen-eration. However, sometimes these groups possess ineffi-cient and heavily bureaucratized management methods.Environmental NGOs that developed independent of thestate sector often lack proper management skills and ex-perience. Clearly, inefficient management and supervis-ing systems hinder the development of green NGOs inChina.

• Need for Clear Goals. Social environmental groupsneed to set and develop clear goals in order to strengthentheir organization’s capacity. NGOs should develop a goodreputation through efficient work and not simply dependon propaganda. In short, if an NGO wishes to survive, itwill need to professionalize. Some successful groups havebeen the Beijing Environmental and Development Instituteand SNISD, both of which have their own professionalstaff. These kinds of organizations will give strength tothe developing nonprofit green sector in China. Publicparticipation is entering a new phase in China’s environ-mental protection sector. Formal and informal NGOs andquasi-governmental environmental groups are not onlymotivating the public, but also are playing a role in moni-toring the government’s environmental protection work.This movement shows that environmental protection isnot just an area for government agencies or experts, butalso an area ready for contributions from a new and grow-ing NGO sector.

Endnotes1 The Chinese Environmental Science Institute is the first

GONGO created by the central government after its launchingof the economic reform. However, activists and volunteers cre-ated the China Forestry Association, now a quasi-NGO underthe Ministry of Forestry, in early 1900s; it is said to be the firstenvironmental NGO in modern China.

9Hong Kong Conference Report

The Evolution of Taiwan’s Environmental MovementBy Lin Shen Tzung (Sam Lin), Eco-Conservation Alliance

The Environmental Movement During the MartialLaw Period (1949-1987)

Taiwan’s environmental movement began in the 1980sand evolved from scattered and spontaneous anti-pollu-tion protests to the diverse collection of 300 environmentalNGOs that exist today. Reflecting on the past twenty yearsof this environmental movement, the abolition of martiallaw in 1987 is often considered the turning point for greenactivism in Taiwan.

Before martial law was abolished, some anti-pollu-tion campaigns sprang up in rural areas. The first suchprotest was in Lukang (central Taiwan) in a campaignopposing the construction of a Dupont chemical plant.Next were protests in response to repeated pollution spillsat the Li Chang Rong Chemical Manufacturing factoryin Hsinju (in north Taiwan). The former case was agrassroots protest to prevent pollution that could havedirectly impacted the rural community. In the face of thecommunity’s stiff resistance, Dupont abandoned their planto build a factory at Lukang. The second example inHsinju was an environmental protest against a highlypolluting factory. In addition to the continued protestsby people living around the factory, professors from thelocal universities (Tsinghua and Jiaotong) also supportedand participated in the protests. In the end the factorywas forced to close.

The rise in the concept of environmental rights in-ternationally in the 1980s gave Taiwan’s nascent environ-mental movement more legitimacy, which was particu-larly crucial for Taiwanese who still lived under martiallaw. In addition, Taiwanese news journalists contributedto the environmental movement through their investiga-tive reporting and participation in campaigns. Intellectu-als and scholars also voiced their opinions supportingenvironmental protection efforts. Even the leftist andsocialist intellectuals in Taiwan put forward theoreticalarguments for environmental rights. In Asian societies pro-fessors tend to be relatively well respected, therefore theirparticipation in the environmental protests and campaignshelped to give the green movement in Taiwan even morelegitimacy.

The Environmental Movement after Martial LawAfter martial law was formally abolished in 1987, the

number of environmental organizations in Taiwan in-creased considerably. Although initially these groups werelimited in skills and experience, their leaders and mem-bers possessed a strong concern for Taiwan’s environmen-

tal problems. Over the decade following the end of mar-tial law, the commitment of these green activists helpedto create a relatively solid environmental movement. Themovement has been fueled by particularly strong com-munity opposition to environmental pollution and ruralprotests in southern Taiwan. For example, in Kaohsiung’sHoujin and Yilan districts community groups held pro-tests against oil and chemical pollution from factories. InKaohsiung County, the indigenous people in Meinungprotested against the construction of a dam that they be-lieved would destroy the local ecosystem and culture.Another sign of the growing strength of Taiwan’s envi-ronmental movement has been the increasing number ofcampaigns, in which environmental NGOs have joinedtogether. NGOs have united to oppose nuclear powerplants, golf courses, incinerators, and to lobby for theprotection of forests.

Taiwan’s environmental movement was strengthenednot only by fiery protests, but also by new laws passed bythe government. The most notable law was the environ-mental impact assessment (EIA) law passed in 1994, whichgreatly empowered environmental activists. Before the EIAlaw was implemented, environmental protection groupscould only utilize protesting as a strategy against pollut-ers and could not take the polluters to court. After theEIA law, Taiwan’s environmentalists were able to demandthat EIAs be carried out correctly. The EIA law led envi-ronmental groups to turn increasingly to the courts tosue polluters and destructive development projects. Thecourt cases have not merely stopped harmful projects, butsometimes have led pollution violators to lose their busi-nesses. For example, environmental groups were able tohalt destructive development projects in Hsinju HsiangMountain and in Kuanhsi District in the late 1990s. MostTaiwanese environmentalists agree that protesting andsuing have become effective methods to stop violators ofenvironmental and natural resource laws.

Under the one party rule of the Nationalist Party(KMT) in Taiwan, it is not surprising that the KMT con-trolled the supposedly fair and impartial justice system.Therefore, prior to the 1990s, if citizens tried to sue gov-ernment officials the officials would never be charged andarrested. However today, citizens have been able to usethe new environmental laws and regulations to success-fully sue, as well as remove and punish government offi-cials who violate pollution control laws.

Although Taiwan’s environmental movement hascome to increasingly depend on the courts, the move-

10Environmental Movements and NGO Trends

ment still has needed to tap the power of people at thegrassroots level. In order to protect their fishing grounds,Taiwanese fishers were key protesters in stopping Tainan’sBingnan development and the continued construction ofNumber 4 nuclear power plant.

Besides protests and suing, environmental educationis a rich, albeit indirect, strategy utilized by some ofTaiwan’s environmental groups. Such educational effortsinclude bird and wildlife watching, as well as eco-tourismorganizations, which have flourished in recent years andhave raised people’s concerns about the environment.

Distribution of Natural Resources Fuels theEnvironmental Movement

In addition to the early pollution protests, Taiwan’senvironmental movement has been fueled by land useconflicts such as the placement of landfills, incinerators,dams, and development construction. Without exceptionthese conflicts revolve around whether land resourcesare equitably used and distributed. Protests against golfcourses are a prime example of such equity concerns.

Taiwan is a small, densely populated island with anincreasingly affluent population. The number of golfcourses has grown to accommodate the increased demandsfor recreational activities. However, only 100-200 peoplecan use a golf course at one time. Moreover, golf coursescreate serious water resource problems and—in the eyesof environmentalists—inappropriately use land. There-fore, environmental groups have led anti-golf course cam-paigns to demand protection of water resources. Envi-ronmental activists also oppose the corruption that is in-volved in many golf course projects. Specifically, govern-ment officials often accept bribes (“black gold”) to passzoning laws that favor golf course developments. A previ-ous administrator Hao Bocun once stated that he wantedgolf to become a sport for all citizens of Taiwan. Environ-mentalists retorted that in order to accommodate the en-tire population of Taiwan, all of Taiwan, Fujian, andGuangdong would have to be leveled and converted intogolf courses!

The Aims of the Eco-Conservation AllianceThe Eco-Conservation Alliance (Shengtai Baoyu

Lianmeng) is a loose organization made up of forty envi-ronmental groups in Taiwan. Initially, this alliance wasformed in the mid-1990s to push for the passage of awildlife protection law. After this law was successfullypassed, environmentalists viewed this newly establishedorganization as a new model for cooperation in Taiwan.Over the past eight years Eco-Conservation Alliance hascontinued to bring together many groups and individu-als to successfully push through other green laws. The

alliance enables its member groups to mutually supporteach other, thereby strengthening their power, as well asimproving and expanding the quality of research and dis-cussion of Taiwan’s environmental problems. Betterresearch and debate could help introduce environmentalconcepts to the general public and popularize environ-mental awareness celebrations, such as the year of forestculture.

This alliance has increased its political power bygradually strengthening cooperative relationships withlegislators, specifically to lobby for special environmentalissues or laws. The alliance also has become concernedabout better integrating environmental protectionthroughout the government’s operating budget. The alli-ance is founded on the principle that environmental pro-tection issues should take priority over political or parti-san interests. In addition to monitoring the government,the Eco-Conservation Alliance members build relationshipswith the legislators that both promote cooperation andexert pressure. Members of the Eco-Conservation Alliancewant to be on good terms with all politicians who arewilling to cooperate with the alliance’s activities. The alli-ance even goes as far as endorsing “green” candidates.Conversely, if a candidate’s environmental positions arenot appropriate—even for a candidate from the key KMTopposition party the Democratic Progressive Party whoboosts “greenness”—the alliance will not grant its endorse-ment unless the candidate has substantively supportedenvironmental issues. The Eco-Conservation Alliancestresses that green NGOs should be tolerant of each other’sdifferent goals and philosophies and not attack each other.

Environmental Movement and Politics in Taiwan:Supporting the “Crow Spirit”

In the past, some Taiwanese politicians used the en-vironmental movement to mobilize the public and gainpolitical support. But today environmental protection isa low priority for most politicians, because voting statis-tics show that supporting environmental policies does notbring politicians many votes. Although the Taiwanesegovernment has passed many environmental protectionlaws, the environment is still a low priority of the govern-ment. Therefore, environmental NGOs need to act asmonitors of the government in order to protect the earth.

Nature knows no political boundaries. Therefore,environmental problems in one country can spillover intoother countries. In order to become more dynamic andeffective, environmental NGOs should unify their effortswithin and beyond borders. Those of us who are profes-sional environmental activists can be optimistic and talkof ideals. Because what we do is not for ourselves but foreveryone, especially the future generations. The environ-

11Hong Kong Conference Report

mental movement should not be content with simply fol-lowing and supporting current laws to protect the envi-ronment. Instead, NGOs should fight for more appro-priate laws and regulations.

I wish that everyone in the world could support thespirit of the crow and together be concerned about envi-ronmental problems. (Editor’s Note: “spirit of the crow”refers to the spirit of advocacy for environmental awareness

and protection even in the face of government pressure) Ialso hope that Taiwan’s environmental groups can con-tinue to progress and learn to capture the power of net-working, alliance building, and tools such as theInternet. I hope that Taiwan’s news media can progressand report environmental cases without bias and neveragain act as a propaganda machine for the authorities.

S. L. Wong, director of the Centre for AsianStudies at Hong Kong University, was one of thecosponsors of the Green NGO and EnvironmentalJournalist Forum. He gave the opening welcomeremarks at the forum.

Ying Yuan Chan is director of the Journalismand Media Studies Centre (JMSC) of HongKong University. As a cosponsor of the GreenNGO and Environmental Journalist Forum,JMSC organized the informative journalistworkshop on Air Quality Reporting during thesecond day of the forum.