Standing committee of China’s congress meets, environment a top priority

World Today

The Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress has convened in Beijing to discuss the most pressing legal issues in the country, with environmental protection high on the list. CCTV America’s Hou Na reported this story from Beijing.

They will consider a new draft amendment on air pollution prevention that addresses the sources, total discharge, and density of pollutants.

“The amended draft now specifies punishment for violations such as discharging pollutants without certificate, excess discharge and fabricating monitoring data,” Chinese Minister of Environmental Protection Zhou Shenxian said.

The draft also has provisions on conducting controls of multiple pollutants from coal burning, to industries, automobiles, and dust, taking coordinated actions in key areas.

The draft also sets out a six-year timeline to tackle air pollution. The sale and use of coal will be banned in two main districts next year and in the whole city by 2020.

During the seven-day session, lawmakers will also review several studies including a report on urban and the rural social security system. They will also deliberate on draft amendments on the Food Safety Law and the Legislation Law.