Talks begin in landmark case

Lawsuit could mark first time NGOs file public litigation on environment

Pretrial discussions began on Wednesday in a rare public interest lawsuit whose plaintiffs include non-governmental environmental organizations.

The three plaintiffs - Friends of Nature, Chongqing Green Volunteers Union and the Qujing city environmental protection bureau - exchanged evidence with Luliang Chemical Industry, the defendant, on Wednesday, said Chang Cheng, a program officer of Friends of Nature.