Johnny Wei founded cross-border green group to get public involved in planning
Young activists say public participation in planning process is crucial for preserving the environment in the Pearl River Delta region
Johnny Wei is on a green-hued mission. The 25-year-old Guangzhou native wants to improve the quality of life in the Pear River Delta by ensuring that governments and businesses conduct environmental impact assessments (EIAs) according to international standards, especially with regard to major construction and land reclamation projects.
In August, Wei and two friends set up a non-governmental organisation called the Cross-border Environment Concern Association (CECA) to promote public participation in the assessment process in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau . The Hong Kong-registered organisation, co-founded by Zhang Jiayue and Li Manling along with Wei, now boasts some 25 student members from universities in Hong Kong, Macau and the mainland.
CECA is particularly interested in seeing procedures for EIAs applied to a liquefied natural gas receiving terminal in Shenzhen, a Mirs Bay sea reclamation project, and protecting the marine life of Tung Ping Chau Marine Park and Mirs Bay.
Wei spoke to He Huifeng about CECA's mission.
I was born and raised in Guangzhou and have always had an understanding of civil society and the environment.