New Guiding Opinion on Environmental Monitoring Released

On July 22, the Central Leading Group for Deepening Overall Reform convened its 26th meeting, and approved the Guiding Opinion on Vertical Management System Reform Pilot for Environment Monitoring and Law Enforcement Agencies below the Provincial Level, under which local environment authorities will be more independent, authoritative, and effective in monitoring and law enforcement. The reform aims to strengthen local authorities' power and responsibility as well as facilitate cross-administrative coordination and management to promote the growth of local environmental authorities. This reform will also reduce the local government's interference on environmental monitoring and law enforcement for reasons such as protectionism or economic benefit. With the new reform rolling out, the local environment authorities will have more decision making power in monitoring and law enforcement and more consistent approaches across the country.

For now, the full text of the Guiding Opinion has not been published.