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Chinese not happy with environment

BEIJING: The environment has come out as the most unsatisfactory aspect of Chinese life for the third year running in the State-run Xiaokang magazine “comfort” survey.

Respondents gave 56.6 out of 100 points to the environment index, making it the lowest graded of 11 indices.

This year, respondents graded the happiness index highest at 79.6 points.

The monthly magazine, a subsidiary of Qiushi (Seeking Truth) Magazine, which is sponsored by the Central Committee of Communist Party of China, has compiled the “xiaokang (moderate prosperity) indices” since 2005.

The annual survey covers entertainment, food, public services, housing, health, environment, education, consumption, safety, credit, and happiness.

The general comfort index stood at 64.1 points, slightly up from 62.1 in 2005, and 63 in 2006. According to the magazine’s grading guide, 60 is the minimum satisfaction level.

The happiness index has stayed the highest and the environment index the lowest for three years.

“The respondents are not satisfied with the environment mainly because of frequent problems of environmental pollution and awareness of the issue,” said Guo Fang, editor of the magazine in charge of the survey.

The State Environment Protection Administration has said China’s overall environmental situation was still “serious” with frequent pollution accidents affecting the quality of life for many.

The food index, which covers the quality and cost of food, was the second highest 72.7 points, counter to perceptions of discontent due to surging inflation and quality scares. The housing index was another surprising rise due to soaring property prices in many cities. It stood at 63.7 points, up from 62.4 in 2006. . — Xinhua

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