Polluters of waterway to face harsher punishments

China will hand down more severe punishments to those who commit environmental crimes in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, according to a document issued by five central departments on Wednesday specifying offenses and punishment standards.

The document was issued by the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

It said that those who discharge or dump harmful waste, such as radioactive waste, or waste containing infectious pathogens or toxic substances, in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, or who discharge harmful waste into designated major rivers and lakes, will be severely penalized.