Li Zhanshu (C), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspects the treatment of polluted water and the implementation of the river chief mechanism in Qingyang District of Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 8, 2019. Li led a team to inspect enforcement of the water pollution control law in Sichuan Province Monday through Thursday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)
CHENGDU, April 11 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator has called for treating water pollution, protecting water ecology and strengthening the ecological barrier for the upper Yangtze River.
Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when he led a team to inspect enforcement of the water pollution control law in southwest China's Sichuan Province Monday through Thursday.
The inspection was strictly based on the provision of the water pollution control law, with a focus on the fulfillment of legal responsibility by government at all levels and by supervision, enforcement and legislation authorities as well as enterprises.
The inspection team visited Sichuan's department of ecology and environment upon arrival, hearing about the operation of a monitoring and command platform and water quality monitoring conditions, and inquired about prevention and emergency disposal of water pollution incidents.
Li stressed applying modern monitoring techniques, discovering problems timely and supervising rectification earnestly.
At a workshop that Li presided over, he asked law-enforcement and legislation authorities to severely investigate and punish illegal and criminal activities that damage ecology and the environment.
After the team visited a sewage treatment plant, Li said enterprises are the main key to preventing industrial water pollution and should shoulder more social responsibility.
"Information should be released in a timely manner and publicity and education should be enhanced," Li said, adding protecting clear water and green banks should become a conscious action of society as a whole.
When meeting with representatives from national and local legislatures, Li urged legislators to learn about and reflect the will and voice of the public and to actively offer advice for pollution prevention and treatment.
Li Zhanshu (L), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspects a drinking water intake location of the Yangtze River in southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 10, 2019. Li led a team to inspect enforcement of the water pollution control law in Sichuan Province Monday through Thursday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)
Li Zhanshu (C), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with representatives from national and local legislatures in southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 10, 2019. Li led a team to inspect enforcement of the water pollution control law in Sichuan Province Monday through Thursday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)
Li Zhanshu (1st L), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspects sewage discharge at a liquor-making enterprise in southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 10, 2019. Li led a team to inspect enforcement of the water pollution control law in Sichuan Province Monday through Thursday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)