Chinese companies have been operating in our country for many years, every new investment has been presented in the media as a step towards a better future where there is work for everyone, and foreign investors are fighting over Serbia.
However, if you scratch the surface a little, you will find that these Chinese companies do not have a great reputation in the world. The world media report that many Chinese companies are prone to embezzlement, land grabbing and disrespect for business ethics, which has deservedly brought them to the lists of banned and sanctioned companies around the world.
However, what should worry us first of all is the dramatic environmental pollution that Chinese companies are very prone to. Although the word “ecology” has no special meaning for domestic businessmen either, Chinese companies are definitely at the forefront of environmental pollution, and the world media reported that almost 70 percent of Chinese companies do not meet environmental standards.
As it usually happens, when a foreign investor comes to a poorer country, he is welcomed as a “savior” who brings people a job and a better standard of living. Unfortunately, that “savior” almost never cares about the damage he can inflict on his hosts, and environmental measures are respected if there is no other.
Since the construction of the Chinese tire factory Linglong in Zrenjanin has recently begun, the question of what kind of future awaits us in terms of environmental pollution reopens, because on the one hand we adopt laws on climate change, and on the other hand we accept convicted polluters.
Bor and Smederevo are already paying too high a price
It is not as if the news about the polluting practices of Chinese companies is something completely new for us.
The air in Bor is so polluted that individuals have no choice but to move out of the city. The Chinese company “Zijin”, which operates in Bor, has ordered environmental crimes, both in China and around the world.
In 2010, the world media transmitted images of several million dead fish that died due to the release of heavy metals into the river. This incident could have been prevented if the company Zijin had invested in environmental protection projects on time. Unfortunately, it seems that it is easier for this company to pay fines than to deal with the environment, and if they do not care about the consequences for their country and people, you can imagine how little they care about Serbia.
It is similar with Smederevo Ironworks. You know that you are approaching Smederevo when you first see huge chimneys from which water vapor and smoke are gushing. This industrial giant has been owned by the Chinese company “Hestil” since 2016, and to this day, the requirements for reducing pollution have not been met.
The surrounding settlements are sometimes covered with red dust, which is nothing but a pile of heavy metals and by-products of steel production, and last year the Fortress movement published photos where the surroundings of the ironworks were covered with black powder.
Linglong is only as dangerous as we allow it to be
The construction of the Chinese tire factory “Shandong Linglong” in Zrenjanin has been going on for two years, and it is estimated that it will be completely completed in about four years.
The location where the factory is being built is also disputable because, as Bojan Simisic from the Eco Guard says, there is a nature reserve Carska bara nearby. Also, the history of Linglong’s business in other countries is not particularly encouraging because in China this company has been accused of non-compliance with environmental regulations on several occasions – Linglong did not dispose of hazardous waste in its landfills in the right way.
Since Linglong is still under construction in our country, it is important that we prevent the business practice of this company from destroying our environment in time. It is crucial that the institutions finally wake up and force all companies, not just Chinese ones, to respect environmental regulations. Only in this way will we preserve our natural beauty and health, but also our dignity, Energetski Portal reports.
