A month ago, a Mayor form China was asked to swim in the cities river after outlining a plan to improve water quality. Though he did not, this sparked many other Chinese citizens to demand the same of their officials, with an overall count of one actually doing it. The fact that Chinese citizens are using this as the new way of testing the quality of their water shows that they are desperate for reforms on their environmental policies. However, this reform will not come easy. Many officials are too busy working on growing the economy than improving the lifestyles of their people. To actually reform the system, it is necessary to switch the focus from on authority and economics to service and social mindsets. Without this, there will be no reform.
This article is important because it shows how the economics of a country can affect its social, geographic, and even political areas as well. It also shows how the unrest of the people is a very powerful way of sending a message, akin to non-violent resistance and peaceful protests. The author's point of view is that Chinese officials should reform the system, and that they are wrong for not doing so.
Source: http://worldcrunch.com/china-2.0/china-039-s-online-masses-dare-officials-to-swim-in-polluted-rivers/china-reform-environment-water-pollution/c9s11344/#.UWzTxbWG2Lw
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