Several new laws take effect in China on January 1st. These laws will help the government better tackle pollution, boost economic development, and ensure nuclear safety. Let's take a look. The environmental protection tax law is China's first "green tax" legislation. It replaces the pollution discharge fee system with a new environmental protection tax. The revised Water Pollution Prevention and Control Law strengthens monitoring and government responsibility, and imposes tougher punishments. The law mandates that local governments should set time limits to improve water quality.

Under the revised Law of the PRC on the Promotion of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, the government shall arrange special funds and use monetary policy instruments to boost the development of small and medium-sized enterprises. The new version of Anti-Unfair Competition Law adds procedural requirements for government seizure of assets during investigations. The Nuclear Safety Law, the first of its kind in China, reflects China's rational, coordinated and balanced nuclear safety outlook, as well as its commitment to fulfilling obligations under international treaties.