They pollute. It's not because morally they have a problem, but more because the mechanism now is rewarding those who cut corners to save cost.
From Ma Jun
Ever since we published the first Apple report, we've had some other brands turning more proactive.
In some cases, it's not just about cleaning up the factories. It's about cleaning up the nearby rivers and lakes that have been tainted with heavy metals.
I think there are a few brands like Nike and Patagonia which are quite progressively minded.
Multinationals are more sensitive to public pressure because they have bigger brand names, and they have made commitments to be environmentally sensitive. Chinese firms are not used to this kind of pressure yet.
Globalised manufacturing and procurement mean that a lot of high-polluting, heavy duty jobs are transferred to China. We will ask major companies, such as Wal-Mart, Microsoft and IBM to put pressure on their Chinese suppliers.
Environmental problems cannot be resolved here the way they are resolved in other countries. I heard that 80 per cent of the environmental problems in the U.S. are solved in court. That can't happen here.
I tell them the rules are made by the government. Every firm should comply. It doesn't mean they can't compete.
People realised this is real pollution; it is not fog. Now everyone has to face the data and come out of their comfort zone.
iPhone4 is sold in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere, but it was assembled in China. As the world's center for the processing of IT products, China's environment is paying the price.
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