A representative of China’s National People’s Congress announced that a law is currently being drafted to improve ecosystem protection and promote regional economic development in the Yellow River Basin. The aim is to strengthen the protection of the watercourse and prevent environmental pollution. In addition, it was announced that similar laws are being prepared for other river basins throughout the country.
Passed at the end of 2020, the Yangtze River Protection Law is the first of its kind. Aimed at promoting well-coordinated environmental protection of the Yangtze River basin and at facilitating green development, the Yangtze River Protection Law has come into force on March 1, 2021.
As well as strengthening protection of the river basin ecosystem, the law will also restrict exploitation of shorelines and impose tougher punishments for a number of violations that cause environmental pollution in the river basin.