China launches fifth batch of third-round of environmental inspections

China has officially begun the fifth batch of its third round of central ecological and environmental inspections. According to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, eight teams will carry out one-month inspections in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, and at five major central state-owned enterprises, including China Huadian Corporation, China Energy Investment Corporation, Ansteel Group Corporation, China Baowu Steel Group Corporation Limited, and China National Coal Group Corporation.

At the same time, China will conduct special inspections focusing on ecological protection of the Grand Canal in eight regions, including Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang. For Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei, Grand Canal cultural heritage protection and ecological conservation will be key priorities within the routine inspections. Two additional teams will oversee Grand Canal-focused inspections in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui, and in Shandong and Henan. These inspections will last about two weeks.