AT the beginning of the year,more than 1 million square km in east China were blanketed by heavy smog.The smog is a reminder to Chinese people and officials of the continual worsening of the natural environment over decades of rapid development.In his report to the opening of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China last November,Hu Jintao,General Secretary of the Party's 17th Central Committee,gave priority to ecological progress and incorporating it into the whole process of advancing economic,political,cultural and social growth.The report also introduced the concept of building a "beautiful country." But how far is China from attaining this lofty goal?During this year's session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing on March 3-12,the question became one of the most prominent topics of discussion for political advisors from all walks of life.