China’s New Environmental Impact Assessment Qualification Rules

(November 22, 2006) In October 2005, the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) strengthened the domestic environmental impact assessment (EIA) market by conducting a nationwide review of the environmental impact assessment agencies (EIA Agencies) and re-issuing qualification certificates.

Investors consider the costs of Tibetan resources

(November 17, 2006) Plans to build a hydropower station on a sacred Tibetan lake in western China were abandoned last week, with the authorities deciding that developing the local tourist industry could turn out to be more profitable, but if the central government continues to encourage mining throughout its remote western regions, it will also need to build the infrastructure required to draw in investors.