The Development Situation And Reflection Of PX Projects In China

Today’s China become almost like a "glass society", interest differentiation amonggovernment, enterprise and public leaded to many similar crisis events occurred repeatedlysuch as Shifang, Qidong, as well as PX in Xiamen, Dalian and Ningbo. Para-xylene(PX) events, which caused several NIMBY conflicts, has been known to all intimately.However, widespread attention and discussion in public have not helped PX rectify andclear its reputation, what however strengthen the demonized image of PX in the eyes of thepublic. From the developed southeast regions in China to the developing central andwestern regions, any petrochemical projects which involved PX will be treated as fierceopposition by public no matter it is in planning, or already under construction which getapproval from the government.Since people are opposed to building the PX project, PX projects develop so slowly inChina, which cannot meet the high-speed increasing needs from downstream, huge supplygap relies on import PX to replenish, which made overseas suppliers controlled PX pricingpower for a long time. No matter for the sake of economic development, or theconsideration of industry safety, China has to develop its own PX projects. The existenceand development of PX industry has rather important significance for Chinese economyand people’s livelihood. This thesis analysis involved cases studies of2007Xiamen,2011Dalian and2012Ningbo three famous public emergency events caused by PX projects.Those three NIMBY conflicts have common reasons, as well as characteristics ofindependence. PX has not extreme toxicity, the risk of PX project is completelycontrollable. While, nowadays people’s consciousness of environmental protection isawakening, the enterprise ignored neither the communication with public nor the crisismanagement. The government has not done functions in supervision and mediation. Allthese led to a serious imbalance in interests among all parties, which is the main reason ofwhy NIMBY conflicts occurred frequently.Aiming at dilemma of PX projects developing in China, a real case study of listed company X, will be used to discuss its rationality and effective way to develop the PXproject. From the perspective of enterprise, theories of crisis management and strategicmanagement will be applied to combine with the overseas experience in the developing PXproject, to form countermeasures and suggestions to development of PX projects in China.By the hand of government, enterprise must establish and maintain a smoothcommunication channel with public, improve the hearing procedure of project planning, aswell as take the initiative to undertake the responsibility of eliminating misunderstanding,education people, implement production safety management more strictly, strengtheningthe management of public relations and crisis. Then people might accept and understandPX projects, and form a multi-win situation among the government, enterprise and public.