CONTAMINATED LAND LEGISLATION IN CHINA: STATUS QUO AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

China is experiencing increased land contamination in recent years. A number of social and economic
problems have developed and must be dealt with, in some cases, as a matter of urgency. Those problems have
been neglected for years and so far there is no nationwide specific legislation to address the contaminated land
issue. However, numerous relevant provisions on addressing soil or land protections can be found under the
current legal system, particularly in the context of environmental regulatory system. Those provisions address
broad issues which include soil quality protection, land reclamation, land use planning and relevant liabilities.
This paper explores the regulatory frameworks for addressing contaminated land issues. It concludes that the
current regulatory framework in China can not fully address contaminated land problems, thus a specific
legislation at the national level is imminently required.