The Ministry of Environmental Protection set off an "environmental storm"
The Ministry of Environmental Protection is tightening its grip through the use of regional restrictions, marking a significant shift in environmental enforcement. Yesterday, the ministry announced that it had initiated the first batch of large-scale regional restrictions and supervision measures following this year’s National “Two Sessions.†This move reflects the new provisions in China’s updated Environmental Protection Law, which officially incorporated regional restrictions as a key regulatory tool.
According to the latest report, based on the verification results of national emission reduction targets from last year, the Ministry of Environmental Protection has decided to impose regional restrictions on new water and air-related construction projects in five cities in Heilongjiang Province, including Jixi City, as well as 15 other cities nationwide. Additionally, 18 enterprises that have failed to meet environmental standards will be placed under supervision and face penalties, including project suspensions, until they comply with regulations.
Regional restrictions are among the most severe actions the Ministry can take against local governments or companies that violate environmental laws. If a company or region is found to have serious pollution issues or environmental violations, the environmental department has the authority to halt all new project approvals in that area until the necessary corrections are made. Lan Hong, an associate professor at Renmin University’s School of Environment, explained that this approach was first introduced in 2008 when the Ministry was established, and it became one of the most powerful tools in what was known as the “environmental storm,†sending shockwaves across local governments.
The selection of cities and enterprises subject to regional restrictions is based on the results of the national emission reduction assessments. Cities such as Shantou in Guangdong and Lianyungang in Jiangsu, along with 15 other cities, are now under scrutiny. In Liaoning Province, Yingkou Drainage Company’s 18 supervised enterprises are also facing potential restrictions due to ongoing non-compliance. These regions may soon experience stricter controls if their environmental performance does not improve.
As the balance between environmental protection and economic growth continues to evolve, both central and local governments have shown a growing willingness to enforce regional restrictions. Many local authorities, eager to enhance environmental governance and create a fairer competitive environment, are increasingly supporting these measures. Over the past two years, regional restrictions have quietly re-emerged, affecting major industrial players such as the “two oil barrels†and four power groups. With the inclusion of regional restrictions in the newly revised Environmental Protection Law, the central government has formalized this policy, turning the Ministry’s enforcement “fist†into a more powerful and legally backed tool.
This development signals a clear shift toward stricter environmental regulation, reflecting the government's commitment to sustainable development and long-term ecological stability. As the law becomes more robust, the pressure on polluting industries and poorly performing regions is expected to increase significantly.
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