Franz Kafka’s China, No.237

A Chinese NGO, the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, has drawn mostly blanks in its bid to reasearch pollution levels in the mainland. It recently sent requests to local government departments charged with environmental protection in 113 mainland cities, asking for details on local polluters. Of the 113, just 27 gave any details. The rest refused, saying that such disclosures would be bad for local economies. One official claimed that disclosure of a polluter’s identity required the consent of the polluter. And despite its best efforts, the institute could not find contact details—not a phone number nor an email address—for at least 12 municipal environmental protection departments. More details here.