Seeking to better regulate foreign-organized hydrological activities, the State Council passed a regulation on April 25 which will now require any such plans to gain governmental approval.

Following the State Council's decision, Premier Wen Jiabao signed a decree which will bring the rule into effect as of June 1.

The regulation stipulates that any foreign organizations and individuals wishing to carry out hydrological activities in China must first obtain approval from the central government and abide by all national laws and regulations.

Any hydrological activities conducted on cross-boundary rivers must also abide by any border treaties and agreements that China has signed with its neighbors.

Organizations and individuals caught in violation of this new law will face fines ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 yuan (US$6,500 to 13,000), specifies the regulation.

Hydrology is an area concerned with the properties, distribution and circulation of water and can manifest itself in a number of scientific methods such as surveying, monitoring and forecasting.

(China.org.cn by Wu Nanlan, May 8, 2007)