For Ma, that’s more effective than starting protests or lobbying local governments, which tend to raise the ire of authorities in China. Economic interest matters.”The database, updated every two hours, is becoming an important reference for Western companies sourcing from China. Pollution unrestThe steady poisoning of much of China’s water supply over the past three decades has become a major political issue for the ruling Communist Party. Danger Maps, a data site that was also backed by Alibaba, asked China’s public to chart water quality using $10 water kits and their smartphones. “With more public information disclosure, public participation, companies are finally starting to take initiative to care about the environment,” said Ma.

Source: The Star December 12, 2017 06:00 UTC