environmental protection law

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By Paul Davies and Andrew Westgate

This month, China’s Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP), the country’s most senior prosecution and investigation authority, issued a statement analysing the initial six months of its pilot programme launched in July 2015, which seeks to increase environmental accountability for industry and government authorities.

Aimed at expediting public interest claims, the two-year pilot gives increased powers to local prosecution departments. The pilot encourages resolving potential public interest claims before they reach court, with the SPP stating its priority of public lawsuits related to the environment and protection of resources.

By Paul Davies and Andrew Westgate

Despite a more challenging business environment, China remains a key market for multinationals. China’s economic growth rate might have slowed, but its GDP is still rising at a faster rate than most other countries.

As China enters the next phase of its economic growth, the government continues to implement reforms designed to restructure the economy – ending the reliance on exports and turning its attention to the significant consumer markets. Beijing and Shanghai are home to the offices and manufacturing facilities of more than 400 Fortune 500 companies. With much invested in China, multinationals are facing increased competition, rising costs and more stringent regulatory compliance.