By Special Correspondent

China strengthened its environmental governance framework in 2025 through new legislation and revisions to existing laws aimed at improving ecological protection and promoting sustainable development, according to a report presented at the national legislative session in Beijing.

The report on the work of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress states that lawmakers enacted the National Parks Law to provide a legal framework for the planning, establishment, protection and management of national parks.

According to the report, the law affirms the legal status of national parks and establishes institutions governing their protection, supervision and support mechanisms.

The report notes that the legislation is intended to promote the high-quality development of the national parks system and strengthen ecological conservation through improved legal safeguards.

China also advanced work on compiling the ecological and environmental code, which is designed to consolidate and integrate the country’s environmental legislation into a comprehensive legal framework.

According to the report, the drafting of the code involved the systematic compilation and revision of existing environmental laws and regulations while ensuring openness, inclusiveness and adaptability in the legal framework.

The report states that after two rounds of overall review and two rounds of review of individual sections, the draft ecological and environmental code has been submitted to the national legislature for deliberation.

China also revised the Environmental Protection Tax Law to extend the tax to cover all volatile organic compounds.

According to the report, the revision is intended to promote the sustained improvement of air quality and strengthen environmental protection through fiscal and regulatory measures.

The report notes that lawmakers also deliberated draft legislation on Antarctic activities and environmental protection aimed at regulating China’s activities in Antarctica while ensuring environmental preservation.

According to the report, the legislation seeks to establish legal norms governing activities in the Antarctic region and strengthen environmental protection in accordance with international obligations.

The report states that these legislative initiatives form part of broader efforts to codify the achievements in ecological conservation and improve the legal system governing environmental protection.

China has continued strengthening environmental legislation in order to promote ecological conservation and support the country’s sustainable development goals, according to the report.

Credit: INP-WealthPk