Anti-pollution tax enacted to stimulate effort

China has decided that the environmental protection tax - levied on air, water, solid waste and noise pollution starting on Monday - will all go to local governments, a move designed to boost their enthusiasm and further invigorate the environmental protection campaign.

When the Environment Protection Tax Law enters into force on the first day of 2018, businesses and public institutions will be taxed for directly discharging pollutants on China's territory and other maritime areas under its jurisdiction, according to a State Council notice signed by Premier Li Keqiang and released on Wednesday.