
BEIJING, March 2-- China's newly appointed Environmental Protection Minister has pledged to enhance supervision over local governments to strictly enforce the country's environmental rules.
Chen Jining, an environmental scientist and former president of Tsinghua University, was appointed to the position on Friday, replacing Zhou Shengxian.
At a press forum on Sunday, Chen promised that the ministry will spare no effort to implement the revised Environmental Protection Law, which came into effect this year, and vowed to intensify investigation and punishment of violators.
He stressed interaction among the government, media and public to promote communication of environment-related information as well as public participation and support for the work.
He said the government will ensure information transparency and protect the public's right to know, participate, supervise and lodge claims.
The minister said the government will formulate a five-year plan for environmental protection.
J-11 fighters in air exercise
PLA soldiers operating vehicle-mounted guns in drill
Beauties dancing on the rings
Blind carpenter in E China's Jiangxi
Top 10 highest-paid sports teams in the world
In photos: China's WZ-10 armed helicopters
UFO spotted in several places in China
Certificates of land title of Qing Dynasty and Republic of China
Cute young Taoist priest in Beijing
Obama is sowing discontent in S.China Sea
Rescuers work through night to reach cruise ship survivors
Driving through limbo
Facing down MERSDay|Week