Environmental graft targeted

Top prosecuting body gets tougher with officials who help in cover-ups

Authorities will severely punish government officials who abuse their power to cover up environmental crimes, the Supreme People's Procuratorate said on Thursday.

"To protect the economy and obtain a good GDP performance, some local governments and law enforcement officers have covered up crimes or reduced punishments," said Li Zhongcheng, deputy director under the procuratorate's malfeasance and infringement investigation department.