context: Since the pilot program in Hebei in 2015, the PRC has completed two full rounds of central environmental inspections and launched a third. The latest regulations aim to tighten control of the inspection process, reinforcing accountability, standardisation and transparency.
The CPC Central Committee and the State Council jointly released updated regulations on ecological and environmental protection inspections, on 12 May. Key changes under the new regulations include
- a central leading group for eco-environmental inspection
- the group will operate under the leadership of the Politburo Standing Committee, with the office to be located within Ministry of Ecology and Environment
- inspection teams will be headed by current or recently retired ministerial or provincial level officials
- establishment of a two-tier inspection system
- central-level inspections target provincial-level Party and government organs, relevant State Council departments, major SOEs and other entities designated by the Party
- central inspections may include routine inspections, 'look-back' reviews, targeted inspections and special environmental warning films
- provincial-level inspections target municipal Party and government bodies, provincial departments and SOEs
- central-level inspections target provincial-level Party and government organs, relevant State Council departments, major SOEs and other entities designated by the Party
- eight types of obstruction are listed, with disciplinary or legal consequences for interference, falsification or non-compliance
- cross-departmental coordination for accountability and compensation
- transfer of major environmental responsibility cases to disciplinary and supervisory bodies
- inclusion of compensation and public-interest litigation mechanisms, facilitating cross-agency coordination
- local governments will be required to pursue damages and restoration efforts for verified ecological harm, with designated cases referred to prosecutorial authorities for legal action
The shift from the previous provisions to regulations shows the central leadership's heightened emphasis on environmental inspections, argues Chen Haisong 陈海嵩 Wuhan University Environmental Law Research Institute.
Although both are internal Party regulations, the new regulations have greater legal and political authority, ensuring alignment with the decisions of the Central Committee and State Council, while upholding the system of dual responsibility of Party and government in environmental protection.
The system now integrates Party authority, law enforcement, judicial oversight and public participation to enhance environmental accountability and effectiveness.