Supreme People's Court Urges Continued Environmental Protection Efforts in China

The Supreme People's Court has emphasized the need for unwavering commitment to environmental protection in China, even as recent statistics indicate a reduction in pollution-related offenses. In 2023, Chinese courts handled a total of 232,000 environmental cases, which reflects a 5.8 percent decline compared to the previous year; of these, criminal pollution cases numbered 5,386, representing an 11.5 percent year-on-year decrease.

Despite the downward trend in environmental criminal cases, the court has noted that some specific areas still exhibit a concerning frequency of violations. To illustrate, the court recently shared the details of six cases linked to national parks, highlighting the need for continued scrutiny and enforcement. One notable case involved an individual surnamed Han, who unlawfully captured two golden coin turtles in a national park located in Hainan province. These turtles are classified as nationally protected wildlife and were valued at approximately 100,000 yuan ($13,638). Han's actions of taking them for his personal enjoyment were deemed a crime against precious wild animals.

a one-year prison term with a reprieve, alongside a 5,000 yuan fine. The Supreme People's Court supported this ruling, asserting it strikes an important balance between adherence to laws and ecological preservation. The court expressed that such punitive measures not only serve as a deterrent to others but also aid in safeguarding biodiversity and fostering a balanced ecosystem.

The court further highlighted the critical role of national parks in conservation efforts and called for more rigorous enforcement of environmental legislation to align with national aspirations for sustainable development and carbon neutrality. In recent years, China has made significant progress in addressing environmental cases, with the number of specialized environmental adjudication divisions increasing from 134 in 2014 to 2,813 in 2023, establishing China as a leader in this judicial domain globally.

In addition to this expansion, the top court has implemented 21 judicial interpretations and 22 legal guidelines to enhance the effectiveness and precision of environmental case management. The Supreme People's Court reiterated the value of national parks in both beautifying the landscape and conserving biodiversity, urging all judicial levels to contribute to achieving a harmonious relationship between humanity and nature through legal measures while fostering a green transformation in socio-economic development.