Reporters recently learned from the NPC Environmental and Resources Protection Committee that during the second half of 2011, the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council (LAO) led the establishment of a revision panel on marine environmental protection laws and regulations.

By the end of 2012, the LAO commissioned amendments to the draft on the Marine Environmental Protection Law. A panel from the State Oceanic Administration sent comments on marine environmental protection legislation. Currently, such revisions are being actively promoted. Last March, during a meeting of the 12th session of the National People's Congress (NPC), the Hainan Delegation, Sun Huanquan, and 34 other representatives made two motions that proposed amendments to the Marine Environmental Protection Law. The motion stated that the marine environmental protection law played an important role in protecting and improving the marine environment as well as preventing and controlling pollution. Currently, the development and protection of marine resources has become increasingly prominent as the marine ecological environment faces a grim future. The proposed amendment will accelerate the Marine Environmental Protection Law.

Changes to the Marine Environmental Protection Law have already been included as a proposed project for the 2013 State Council Legislative Work Plan. The NPC Environmental and Resources Protection Committee stated that relevant departments of the State Council will actively promote such active work while doing demonstrative research work. They recommend that the relevant departments of the State Council carefully study the adoption of the representatives’ motion. They should also seize a complete review and revision of the draft, which will be included in the NPC's legislative work plan by the NPC Standing Committee when the conditions permit.