Wang Chen, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and vice-chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, speaks at the second plenary session of inspection teams of the NPC Standing Committee on the enforcement of the Yangtze River Protection Law in Beijing, Sept 23, 2022. [Photo/Bi Nan]

Wang Chen, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and vice-chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, called for stronger efforts to protect the Yangtze River in accordance with the law to make it clear and vibrant.

Wang made the remarks at the second plenary session of inspection teams of the NPC Standing Committee on the enforcement of the Yangtze River Protection Law in Beijing, on Sept 23.

Noting that positive results have been achieved since the law came into force over a year ago, he said that inspection teams had however found problems that need to be addressed, such as incomplete supporting regulations and standards and inadequate collaboration mechanisms.

With ecological protection and green development as the priority, more efforts are needed to advance integrated and systematic moves across the entire river basin, and to clamp down on violations involving environmental pollution and ecological damage, Wang said.

It is also necessary to look into problems arising from the implementation of the law, constantly improve the legal system to better support the river’s protection, and further enhance public awareness about the law, according to Wang.

Wang Chen, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and vice-chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, speaks at the second plenary session of inspection teams of the NPC Standing Committee on the enforcement of the Yangtze River Protection Law in Beijing, Sept 23, 2022. [Photo/Bi Nan]