China Promises Public Hearings on Major Projects      

On December 28th, 2007 China's environmental regulator promised that public hearings will become part of the approval process for major projects. The decision was reached after residents' protests forced the suspension of the controversial Xiamen city PX (para-xylene) plant project.
    "Major projects in the public interest will undergo hearing procedures, with timely responses to public feedback and media coverage," said Zhou Shengxian, the Director of the State Environmental Protection Administration on December 27th, 2007.
    "The right to know is given to every citizen," said Zhou, who added that environmental agencies should release information on environmental quality and management and industrial activity that affects the environment.
    China's new regulations on the release of environmental information will take effect in May 2008. The rules mandate a reply from the government within 15 days after the public inquiry is submitted.