Short-term interests lead to rash decisions

A security guard walks past a waste incineration plant in Mentougou district, Beijing, Dec 16. [Photo/IC]

THE MAYOR OF XIANTAO in Central China's Hubei province announced on Monday that the construction of a household waste incinerator in the city would not continue after many local residents had taken to the streets to protest against it. Beijing News commented on Tuesday:

That Britons voted on Friday to exit from the European Union, in essence, has a lot in common with Xiantao's protest against the construction of a waste incinerator over the weekend.

It is fair to say the former was a folly fueled by irresponsible populists only focused on short-term personal interests.

The waste incineration plant, on which construction started two years ago, with its completion due by the end of this year, is believed to have gone through all the required procedures, ranging from an environmental impact assessment to public disclosure.

It is therefore a bit strange that the Xiantao government called an immediate halt to the project after residents later protested.

Incineration has proved to be one of the most effective means of dealing with the increasing household waste. Potential environmental hazards can be reduced to a minimum with proper planning.

Yet, many local residents, especially those in the neighborhood of the incinerator, still have little confidence in the plant, fearing that their health may be at risk.

In Brexit's case, despite being a staunch advocate of his country's EU membership, British Prime Minister David Cameron failed to help citizens fully understand the pros and cons of leaving the European Union. As a result, they ended up making a rash decision, which many have already begun regretting.

Likewise, the "burst" of public complaints about Xiantao's waste incineration plant is a result of insufficient communication between the authorities and local residents.

It should not come as a surprise as the Xiantao government carried forward the project without responding to all residents' questions in time.