China puts a stop to commercial land reclamation after damning environment reports
But key defence and infrastructure projects still likely to get green light
China will not approve any new commercial land reclamation initiated by local authorities this year, but key defence and infrastructure projects planned by the central government are likely to get the go-ahead.
The State Oceanic Administration said it would in principle stop approving “regular” reclamation projects in 2018, state-run Legal Daily reported on Monday.
Instead, the annual land reclamation quota would be mostly reserved for “major construction, public infrastructure, public services and national defence”, the report said.
The decision comes after the central government criticised local authorities for lax supervision on land reclamation that has led to severe damage of the marine ecosystem.
President Xi Jinping has made environmental protection a priority amid rising public discontent over chronic and widespread pollution problems stemming from decades of unbridled economic growth.