China’s New Environmental Law Aims to Tackle Air Pollution

World Today

The first revision of China’s environmental protection law in 25 years has been submitted to the standing committee of the National People’s Congress. The draft revision emphasizes the term “to know, to participate and to supervise” the environment; as well as specific measures to tackle air pollution. CCTV’s Guan Yang files this report on how people are reacting to the revision from Shenyang, the capital of northeast China’s Liaoning Province.

China’s New Environmental Law to Tackle Air Pollution

CCTV's Guan Yang files this report on how people are reacting to the revision from Shenyang, the capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province.

After three rounds of reviews, the first modification of China’s environmental protection law in 25 years has been passed on to the NPC. If the draft amendments get approved they will make a remarkable change in how China is going to look after its environment.

Li Qifeng, resident of Shenyang, says: “I think it is very necessary for the country to legislate against environmental pollution, along with the development of society. The existing law has been in place for 25 years. Many new regulations surely need to be put in it.”

Yu Siru, resident of Shenyang, says: “The new regulations will make individuals and organizations more accountable for environmental violations. And, recently, we’ve seen environmental crises like water and air pollution. So a more comprehensive law can help to build a greener country.”

Although the past three attempts to amend the law were not successful, lawmakers are still determined in the bid to address the ever deteriorating environment. China can no longer sacrifice its environment for higher GDP growth.

Jin Zhaocheng, attorney of Dan Cheng Law Office, says: “We’ve see many cases in the past where companies were fined very little considering the profit they made by hurting the environment. If the draft revision gets approved, it will fight hard against those who attempt to get away with damaging the environment; and give clear guidelines on how local governments should monitor the environment.”

More attention has been paid to environmental protection in China in recent years. And the country has given more weight to environmental protection in evaluating the performance of local governments and officials. Whether the revision passes or not, lawmakers are calling for stricter environmental measures and more accountability on the part of businesses.