• v_pp@lemmygrad.ml
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    1 month ago

    Chengdu is being developed quite rapidly, but that does come with downsides. It’s a lot rougher around the edges than more established cities like Beining or Shanghai.

    One important thing to note is that the CPC deems it strategically critical to position heavy industry in cities like Chengdu and Chongqing because they are deep within the interior. In the event of great power conflict, they are much more defensible than industry in the large coastal cities. Unfortunately, particularly in Chengdu, that means that the pollution is quite heavy compared to some of the coastal cities which have been able to control it much more effectively. It’s a lot better than it used to be, but the AQI is still generally around 150 or higher. Anecdotally, it’s a lot rougher on the lungs than e.g. Beijing.

    Also, I hope you like spicy food lol

    • cayde6ml@lemmygrad.ml
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      1 month ago

      PS: I’m not typically a spicy food person, especially because I’m a relatively picky eater because of food sensitivity and autistic-related stuff, but I’m fucking excited as hell to eat anything and everything in China, especially Chengdu’s spicy food.

    • cayde6ml@lemmygrad.ml
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      1 month ago

      That’s one of my questions/concerns about Chengdu.

      While I understand that taking care of an entire country is notoriously difficult, and especially China, do you feel the CPC is doing enough work to combat/mitigate the pollution in Chengdu?

      I understand that with heavy industry, some level of pollution is unfortunately guaranteed, especially in a critically and strategically important city, province and region, what with Chengdu practically being the capital of western China, and other than Beijing, it being the capital of China’s military, almost. Not to mention scientific and technological development.

      I’ve read that the monumental efforts of the government have really cleaned up Chengdu, as you said, it’s much rougher for the people. Is there any hope of pollution levels dropping, at least anytime soon? Such as with new environmental and public health initiatives and more advanced technology?

      One of my main concerns would be moving to Chengdu, and then developing cancer or some kind of respiratory or heart disease.

      I’m mostly a homebody, though that’s due to multiple unrelated reasons. And I imagine that in Chengdu, I’d want to spend much more time outside.

      If I’m somehow able to get to China in the next few months/years, is there any chance of the pollution levels and types dropping significantly?

      • v_pp@lemmygrad.ml
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        1 month ago

        There was a lot of corruption before, which resulted in shit like a petrochemical plant getting built upwind of the city, despite there being room downwind. Since the anti-corruption measures, things have gotten better. And the pollution is far less than it used to be, but it’s still not ideal. Plus, there are far fewer foreigners in Chengdu than, say, Beijing, Shanghai, or Shenzhen.

            • cayde6ml@lemmygrad.ml
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              1 month ago

              Do you think the pollution is that noticeable if you’ve never been to any other Chinese city?

              I live in Texas, and according to estimates, Chengdu is only a little more, or roughly the same pollution as my city.

              • v_pp@lemmygrad.ml
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                1 month ago

                Oh yeah, I mean it is honestly comparable to plenty of inland cities in the US. Denver and Salt Lake City have similar geography and corresponding air quality issues. Personally, I’ve always been on the coast and where I live now has especially good air quality, so I’m just used to that lol

                • cayde6ml@lemmygrad.ml
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                  1 month ago

                  If I may ask, what Chinese coastal city or province do you live in? You don’t have to tell me, of course.

                  I literally spend hours reading about the various cities and provinces.