China updates rules before environmental code takes effect
Cgtn · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a State Council decree publicizing a decision to revise and repeal certain administrative regulations before the Ecological and Environmental Code takes effect on Saturday.
The State Council will revise 12 regulations and revoke three others so existing rules better match the new code and its requirements for ecological protection and high-quality development.
The code, adopted in March by China's top legislature, contains 1,242 articles across five chapters, including pollution control, ecological protection, and green and low-carbon development.
Key Points
- Premier Li Qiang signed the State Council decree announcing the revisions and repeals before the new environmental code comes into force on Saturday.
- The State Council said 12 administrative regulations will be revised, including rules on the national census of pollution sources and environmental monitoring.
- Three other administrative regulations will be revoked to meet new requirements tied to high-quality development and ecological progress.
- Authorities said the changes are meant to create a coherent regulatory framework with consistent, well-coordinated environmental protection rules.
- The Ecological and Environmental Code was adopted in March and aligns with China's goals to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and reach carbon neutrality before 2060.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the move points to a more unified mainland environmental rulebook that could shape compliance expectations for companies, investors, and service providers operating across the border. The code's link to carbon peaking before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060 also reinforces the policy direction behind regional green and low-carbon development.