Green tax will help clear the air

Companies that cause pollution face new national procedures in move to protect environment

As the new year starts, companies, especially those in the chemical and energy sector, are facing a new type of green tax: firms that cause pollution will be taxed under a uniform set of national rules instead of the previous fees collected at the local level.

The enforcement regulations of China's Environmental Protection Tax Law, which require businesses and public institutions to be taxed for directly discharging pollutants in China and maritime areas under its jurisdiction, was signed by Premier Li Keqiang and released on Dec 30. Designing of the law was started in 2014, and was passed by the National People's Congress Standing Committee in 2016.