Starting November 1, construction companies in Shenzhen will be
fined up to 1 million yuan (US$125,000) for environmental damage,
yesterday's Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported. The fine is the
highest so far in China.
The maximum fine is 10 times the present ceiling. The increase
in fines is part of the new rules adopted recently by the standing
committee of the municipal people's congress, the city's lawmaking
body, on the environmental impact of construction projects.
The new rules also spell out a new environmental safeguard for
large construction projects such as major road and port projects.
For such projects, specialized companies will be employed to
supervise and check whether the construction companies have taken
measures to prevent and reduce environmental pollution, ecological
damage and soil erosion.
Major violations that may lead to hefty fines include
construction without an assessment on environmental impact being
approved, and starting a project without installing
pollution-controlling facilities.
The rules say the city prosecutors will support victims of
pollution and ecological damage in pursuing legal remedies.
(Shenzhen Daily August 29, 2006)
