China cracks down on polluters
Print Edition
CHINA will take a “zero tolerance” approach to a wide range of environmental violations and has promised stronger action against regional governments that protect polluters or hinder inspections, according to a State Council document.
Authorities across China have been ordered to take part in a comprehensive inspection program to be completed by the end of next year, the document said.
The program’s findings will be released publicly under a policy of enhanced transparency and accountability, it said, and any regional regulations that hinder enforcement of national environmental legislation must be annulled by June 2015.
China declared a “war on pollution” earlier this year and passed amendments to its 1989 Environmental Protection Law that gave authorities added powers to monitor, fine and even imprison repeat offenders.
The State Council General Office yesterday outlined arrangements for the nationwide environmental protection campaign, promising a “war” against pollution in “every corner” of the land.
Law enforcement officers must be transparent in executing their duties and show “zero tolerance.” Illegal tipping of hazardous waste in particular must be severely punished. Lawbreakers will be “blacklisted” and their identities made public.
Breaches of environmental regulations are frequent in China. However, “many cases are discovered, but few are punished,” a national lawmaker said last month.
Despite this view, the number of criminal pollution cases last year exceeded the total number of similar cases over the past decade, according to the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
Environmental issues have given rise to mass incidents with residents angry at local authorities who they perceive to be damaging the environment and endangering public health with new projects.
Thousands gathered in Shifang in southwest China’s Sichuan Province in July 2012 to demand a halt to construction of a smelting plant. The project was scrapped.
Since 2007, paraxylene (PX) projects planned in eastern Xiamen, northeastern Dalian, and southwestern Kunming have been halted after residents complained.
Cao Liping, a ministry official, said that while the public are more willing to participate in environmental affairs, there was a lack of understanding between them and the government.
Government/resident communication should be improved and it should be easier for the public to express their concerns, he said, adding that citizens and social groups will be invited to participate in environmental law enforcement.
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