Land Contamination Legislation in China: The Emerging Challenges

This paper examines the Chinese system and its problems in managing contaminated land. China is facing deteriorated land contamination and the management of contaminated land is now assuming greater attention in Chinese debates. A national framework on contaminated land management has been under preparation. Over the past decades, environmental laws and regulations have been developed in China to address contaminated land issues. A number of different mechanisms have therefore been established. However, the existing management system appears to be ineffective. By examining the practices of some leading nations, e.g. the USA and UK, some suggestions are provided which might be helpful for China to improve its management of contaminated land. The author argues that a systematic contaminated land remediation mechanism, a sounder liability scheme and a more effective financial assistance scheme should be considered by the Chinese legislature in developing a national regime for contaminated land.