Chinese lawmakers to deliberate draft environmental code

BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The draft environmental code will be submitted to Chinese lawmakers for its initial reading on Sunday.

The draft systematically integrates over 30 existing laws related to ecological and environmental protection in China. Once adopted, it will become China's second formal statutory code, after the 2020 Civil Code.

The announcement was made by Huang Haihua, spokesperson for the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, at a press briefing on Friday.

Conditions are ripe for compiling the code, which will codify the theoretical, institutional, and practical achievements in ecological civilization since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, Huang said.

It will be of great significance to building a beautiful China under the rule of law, he added.

Taking into consideration eco-environmental elements including the atmosphere, water and soil, the code stresses integrated protection of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, he said.

It also aims to solve prominent problems in the environmental sector that hinder high-quality development and protection, he noted.

The Standing Committee of the 14th NPC will hold its 15th session in Beijing from April 27 to 30. ■