A hasty urbanization that is based on the overconsumption of energy resources, environmental pollution and the destruction of arable land can not last long, and this unscientific development model will lead to disasters sooner or later.

The views held by that local official are not rare, and reflect thoughts deeply embedded in the minds of many local officials. They pay more attention to GDP rather than citizen's lives, and to "political achievements" rather than people's living standards, which distorts the essence of the scientific outlook on development for China.

According to Singaporean expert Zheng Yongnian (Cheng Yung-nien), the term "GDPism" well describes the local situation in many places in China. The side effects of GDPism go beyond unfair income distribution, infringement on citizens' individual rights, and the destruction of the environment. The greatest price is the poisoning of the moral system.

Officials are writing letters to help themselves evade responsibility instead of reflecting on their own failings. This is a time for action, not excuses.

Forced demolition cases show the urgent need to implement a scientific and people-orientated development model, which needs urgent action from all levels of governments.

The author is a Beijing-based journalist. [email protected]