China revises environment law, acts harsher on polluters(2)

CHANNEL FOR PUBLIC LITIGATION

The new law allows public litigation and expands the range of subjects of public interest litigation on environmental issues.

According to the new law, the subjects could be social organizations which have registered with the civil affairs departments of governments at municipal level or above and have been engaged in public litigation on environmental issues for more than five years.

Courts should receive public litigation on environmental issues according to law, while social organizations should not seek to profit through such litigation, according to the new draft.

By promoting public interest litigation, it is hoped that the public's appeal for a better environment can be addressed through rule of law, instead of resorting to protests.

China has faced an increasing number of protests, or "mass incidents," over environmental issues in recent years. A few cities have seen residents take to the streets against paraxylene projects, which they believe are a major threat to the environment and public health. In most of the cases, the projects in question were later suspended.

CHANGES OF OTHER LAWS

China has more than 30 environment-related laws and about 90 administrative regulations concerning environmental protection. ' After the adoption of the revised Environmental Protection Law, the country's fundamental environment law, other environmental laws may also face changes.

According to the NPC Standing Committee's annual legislation plan, the air pollution prevention and control law will be revised this year.

Lawmaker Zhao Deming said air, water and soil are the basic factors of the environment. The revisions of laws concerning pollution prevention and control of air, water and soil will facilitate the implementation of the Environmental Protection Law.