5 new national nature reserves approved

The State Council recently approved five new national nature reserves: Taikuan River in North China's Shanxi province, the upstream section of Songhua River and Zengfengling Mount in Northeast China's Jilin province, Xilin River in Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, and Dasha River in Southwest China's Guizhou province.

The State Council pressed all regional authorities and departments to fulfill the responsibility of protecting the ecological environment in compliance with the Regulations on Nature Reserves, among others.

In addition, further investments should be made and supervision and law enforcement should be stepped up to crack down on any lawless deeds against environmental protection, according to the circular.

Administrative work on nature reserves should stay compatible with local economic and social development and residents' production and life activities.

The circular also stressed solid implementation of regulatory methods across the board, eyeing further improvements in the construction and regulation of national nature reserves.