They already realize that. An internal Party document said that pretty much all major Chinese cities "unlivable" (can't find a source), and Beijing's mayor said the same thing [1].
I'm guessing that part of the problem is that while there are environmental regulations, court decision are strongly influenced by ... things other than perhaps a strictly literal application of the law. This makes enforcement difficult, and I believe the environmental regulations have been widely ignored, even when told point blank a few years ago to clean themselves up.
I'm guessing that part of the problem is that while there are environmental regulations, court decision are strongly influenced by ... things other than perhaps a strictly literal application of the law. This makes enforcement difficult, and I believe the environmental regulations have been widely ignored, even when told point blank a few years ago to clean themselves up.
[1] http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/28/beijing-smog-un...