Rules aim at accountability

Government, Party officials now will face punishment for causing pollution

In a bid to improve protection of the environment, China has tightened related accountability measures for Party and government officials, and those found responsible for pollution will be punished beyond their terms.

The new set of guidelines - released by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council - elaborate on situations in which officials would be held accountable for pollution. Officials would face punishment not only for causing serious environmental damage, but also for trying to interfere in actions that would lead to consequences.