NPC Bimonthly Session: Standing Committee holds special inquiry session to curb water pollution

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Water pollution has topped the agenda for Chinese lawmakers today. The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress held special inquiry session for a Prevention and Control Law during its bimonthly session. CGTN's Hou Na reports.

A question and answer session between lawmakers and government officials. This time is all about curbing water pollution.

WANG JINNAN, MEMBER NPC STANDING COMMITTEE "I would like to ask how the relevant departments from the State Council will enhance its supervision on the enforcement of the law."

State Councilor Wang Yong takes that question.

WANG YONG CHINESE STATE COUNCILOR "We've carried out special inspection work on the implementation of the law. We've found major problems and raised six proposals to improve law enforcement."

HOU NA BEIJING "From late March to June, four teams of lawmakers inspected the enforcement of the water pollution control law in eight provincial-level regions across the country. Though progress has been made, lawmakers admit there are huge challenges ahead."

Inspections initiated by the National People's Congress also found large funding gaps. According to its report, local authorities have failed to perform well in their legal obligation to fund urban infrastructure for sewage disposal.

LI GANJIE CHINESE MINISTER OF ECOLOGY & ENVIRONMENT "Through the inspection work, we've found eight major problems that are in urgent need of resolution."

The capacity of environmental protection infrastructure, especially pipe networks for sewage disposal, was found to lag behind actual needs in many urban areas. Facilities in use have not been well-maintained.

Due to insufficient public investment, Sichuan province, for example, needs about 70 billion yuan, close to a billion US dollars, for adequate garbage and sewage disposal facilities.

Limited pipe networks, plagued by breakage and faulty connections, are major causes of polluted water in urban areas. Both lawmakers and government officials now promise to strengthen the legal framework and law enforcement to make water clean again. HOU NA, CGTN, BEIJING.