The recent smog in Beijing has drawn the attention of the media worldwide. Some media outlets pointed out that, just like the heavy rain last July in Beijing, the latest smog exposed colossal loopholes in China's rapid economic development and urbanization, which might appear splendid on the surface.

I don't agree with such a perspective. Although air pollution is harmful to the health of citizens in Beijing, it's not objective to totally deny the achievements of China in industrialization and urbanization.

It's easy to say that China's economic growth and urbanization appear magnificent only on the surface. Without economic development and China's current strengths, the situation in the Diaoyu Islands might have developed in a different way. When you are developing, some may satirize you during the process; but if you remain backward, some may bully you.

We should listen to others' advice and seek improvement from it rather than completely deny what achievements we have already made.

Admittedly, urbanization causes some problems, such as rising living costs, pollution and traffic jams. But the advantages outweigh the disadvantages after all.

The issue of pollution is sporadic and cannot be avoided during the process of industrialization. Britain released the Clean Air Act in 1956, and solved its smog problem after half a century.

Foreign Policy published an article in August 2012 saying China is in danger of making the same mistakes the US made on its way to superpower status.

It sounds like someone using his past mistakes to educate young people, but it's still hard for youngsters to totally avoid those errors.

China is in the process of urbanization and industrialization, which we cannot change. The transformation of the structure of energy and production is a long-term goal, and cannot be realized overnight.

We are still exploring and accumulating experience in managing a city with a population of 20 million. Due to the fundamental differences between China and the West, such as culture, customs, and national character, the managerial experience of the West cannot be directly copied and transplanted to China.

Some US media outlets hold that China can compete with the US in the economy, but lags way behind when it comes to environmental quality.

In terms of this criticism, we shouldn't ignore the problems that did occur in the process of economic development. Instead, we should have the courage to face up to the reality and cure urban pollution.

It is expected that the rain last July and the latest smog will inspire our city planning in the future. Both large and small cities should establish their own urban development schemes.

Large cities should pay attention to controlling population growth rationally and planning layouts, while small cities should accumulate demographic dividends through steady population growth.

As long as everyone from officials to ordinary people are determined to shoulder the responsibility, China's development won't always be splendid only from the outside but problematic inside.

The author is the CEO of Red Star Macalline Group, a national furniture mall chain in China. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn