Oil spill firms to face legal action

Watchdog to sue companies after severe pollution in Bohai Bay

BEIJING - China's maritime watchdog said on Tuesday that it plans to sue ConocoPhillips China for oil spills in Bohai Bay that caused widespread environmental damage, the first litigation of its kind by a government agency.

The North China Sea Branch of the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) will file the lawsuit against companies responsible for a series of spills that began in June, the SOA said in a statement.