THE Lowly Peon

NY Times: Pollution in China? What Pollution?

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13 July 2010, 8:26am

One of the many ways China is so effective at blocking information.

Sixteen of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in China, according to the World Health Organization, and pollution is a key reason thousands of wealthy Chinese emigrate to the West every year, despite the country’s ballooning riches. Expatriates can be reluctant to come and, once here, may limit their stay. Those here long-term worry, quietly or loudly, and try to get their children out for a minimum of four consecutive, lung-clearing weeks a year, on doctor’s advice.