Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
now boasts the most installed wind power capacity in the world and chal-
lenges the United States as the fastest growing annual wind power market.
In the remainder of this chapter we will examine the STEP components
that have catalyzed such support for wind power in China. Section 6.4 will
examine the sociocultural, economic, and technological conditions that pro-
vided a nurturing national landscape for supporting China's wind power
boom. In section 6.5, the governance conduits—sociocultural, technological,
and economic forces that inluence political behavior—will be highlighted
in order to demonstrate how CPC policy evolved in response to feedback
from these conduits. In section 6.6, crucial regime characteristics of China's
system of governance will be examined in order to understand what engen-
dered the types of support policies that the CPC developed for stimulating
wind power development. Finally, in section 6.7, the policy conduits—the
policy initiatives that inluenced sociocultural, technological, and economic
development—will be summarized in order to understand how the policy
response meshes with these other elements. he chapter will conclude with
a discussion of current trends in China's national landscape that might have
the greatest impact on wind power market development.
6.4 UNDERSTANDING THE GENERAL FORCES FOR CHANGE
6.4.1 Sociocultural Landscape
Many visitors to China's major commercial centers (such as Beijing or
Shanghai) remark on the level of activity that they are confronted with.
here is an optimistic buzz in the air that is characteristic of nations in
the midst of economic ascent. Most assuredly, the average inhabitant in
these new megalopolises harbors concerns. Escalating land prices and
the skyrocketing cost of living presents sizable challenges to many of the
rural Chinese migrants who have come to China's mega-cities in search
of employment. Traic congestion is severe and environmental problems
abound. Yet there is an underlying sense of awaking: a sense that the future
holds great promise.
One of the underlying reasons for such optimism stems from the strength
of China's workforce. Premier Zhou Enlai's Four Modernizations initiative,
which was launched in 1963, catalyzed large-scale government investment
in enhancing scientiic and technological knowledge. Almost 50 years later,
China is now a nation with notable workforce diversity. Although it has an
enormous blue-collar workforce to support China's massive manufacturing
ventures, it also boasts competencies in professions such as engineering,
science, electronics and medicine.
