Harsher air pollution penalties sought

Chinese lawmakers are seeking harsher punishment for air polluters, amid increasing demand from the public for better air quality.

Lawmakers should speed up their efforts to expand the punishment of those who illegally discharge air pollutants, said Shen Yueyue, vice-chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, on Saturday.

Shen made the remarks during a seminar on the revision of the law on air pollution prevention and control. The seminar, organized by the Environment and Resources Protection Committee of the NPC, was attended by lawmakers from provincial people's congresses.