Keywords: Oil quality, price, Spring Festival

New fuel standards mean higher gas prices: media

China has decided to upgrade the quality of its gasoline amid mounting concerns that substandard oil products contributed to the record-high smog that has shrouded large parts of the nation this winter, according to a statement released on February 6 after a State Council executive meeting.

China will introduce a “National Standard V”, which requires sulfur content of gasoline below 10 parts per million, for automotive diesel fuel by June and similar specifications for unleaded gasoline by the end of 2013, the statement said.

The new National Standard V will become compulsory by the end of 2017.However, cleaner fuel may also mean higher prices. The possibility of price hikes has stirred discussion about who will absorb the increase in gas prices, which the public already sees as too high, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Some Chinese media outlets argue that consumers should not bear the brunt of the costs the new standards will inevitably require to enact, while others call for a supervision system to be put in place to keep fuel costs down.

Lin Boqiang, director of the Center for Energy Economics Research at Xiamen University, told the Beijing News that consumers will most likely take a hit at the pumps.

“Because the State Council has adopted the attitude that ‘polluters will pay for their pollution’, sooner or later any increase in cost of production will trickle down to consumers,” said Lin.

In another opinion piece on February 5, the Beijing News urged the government to release the projected cost of upgrading oil standards to the public.

The paper said that with a clear list of the costs, consumers will judge whether the increase in oil prices is reasonable.

The Guangzhou Daily pointed out oil companies should absorb any new costs of production, as they are the ones profiting from the oil market. 

"Government, oil enterprises and consumers should pay for the rise in petrol prices together, but oil enterprises should bear the lion’s share. This is corporate responsibility," said the paper.

Economics news website www.cb.com.cn published an article saying that government intervention would have little effect on the monopolized oil industry.

"Though the government cannot force monopolies to absorb the increase in oil prices, at the same time China urgently needs to improve the quality of its gas to fight smog. Either way, consumers are going to suffer," said the article.

@蓝天白云V: Fuel quality in China is worse than other countries, yet prices are higher. Now the government wants consumers to pay for poor oil quality. I can't understand it!

@晓风残月春江寒: Oil is directly related to people's livelihood. Prices should be decided by the government, not oil companies.

@静海无边: I support the idea that "polluters should pay for their pollution". However, I’m concerned that even when prices rise the quality will still be bad.

Shop less, relax more this Spring Festival, says media

The Spring Festival holiday is not only China’s peak travel season, but much like Christmas in the West, peak shopping season. However, the Chinese press urged the public to consume moderately and not lose sight of the true meaning of Spring Festival.

Commentator Li Qiang wrote an opinion piece in the People's Daily urging people to consciously limit frivolous spending.

"Spring Festival shopping, such as buying special foods and new coats, is necessary for Chinese. However, we should insist on consuming rationally during the holiday. Waste is a loss of both money and social resources," said Li.

Mu Duosheng, a Chinese scholar living in the US, told the Global Times (Chinese edition) that the Spring Festival should be seen as the most important traditional festival for Chinese, not just a "golden week of consumption".

"I feel the meaning of Spring Festival has gradually faded over the years. Some important ceremonies, such as offering sacrifices to the Kitchen God (Zaoshen)and temple fairs have either become too commercialized or are almost wiped out altogether," said Mu.

Qilu Evening News reminded that while many people can get weary with all the family obligations during the Spring Festival, it’s also important we take some time for ourselves to recharge.

"Relaxation and happiness are what we need during the Spring Festival, so as the saying goes, ‘shut the door and greet the New Year," suggested the paper.

@沸点工作室: Showing better understanding to our parents, relatives and friends is caring, Chinese-style.

@千古一人: Spring Festival is not a consumer holiday. But now many traditional ceremonies, like lantern festivals, are just held for money. We should pay more attention to the true meaning of the Spring Festival – family, love and reunion.