Beijing – Turning a blind eye to environmental degradation could now cost Chinese officials their jobs, state media announced Tuesday.
However, environmentalists raised concerns about enforcement of the new regulations.
The government announcement comes in the wake of a string of embarrassing incidents that forced Beijing to grapple with the downside of a runaway economy.
“By cracking down on corruption and environmental destruction, we are correcting the wrong principle of pursuing fast economic growth by sacrificing environmental quality,” Liu Yufu, vice minister of supervision, told the Chinese media.
Local corruption has been a major stumbling block for the central government’s efforts. Under the new rules, officials who fail to shut down projects that cause widespread pollution, who reduce or cancel fees imposed for violations or who allow factories to illegally discharge industrial waste will be severely disciplined.
However, the government did not spell out what punishment might be imposed other than to note that helping to cover up environment accidents could result in dismissal.
