China’s review of laws, regulations “sharp tool” for combating pollution: report

Legislative and administrative authorities’ review of regulatory documents on record this year has been a “sharp tool” for combating pollution, said a report submitted on Monday for review at a bimonthly session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.

A total of 1,029 laws and regulations on ecological and environmental protection have been found to be inconsistent with higher-level laws, the directives of central authorities or the requirements of the times, according to the report by the legislative work committee of NPC Standing Committee.

Shen Chunyao, director of the committee, said 514 of the problematic laws and regulations have been amended and 83 others have been abolished, with the remaining 432 to be worked on soon.

So far, 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities have reported on their review of ecological and environmental laws and regulations.

In the meantime, authorities have stepped up drafting and amending regulations on combating air pollution.

Altogether 15 new regulations on air pollution have been formulated and 13 others amended in 28 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, Shen said.