China lacks quality environment assessment agencies

BEIJING - China lacks quality environment assessment agencies, according to a government report issued on Monday.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) publicized a report after a three-year survey into the country's environment assessment agencies.

By the end of 2012, 1,163 such organizations had been registered. However, their overall performance and quality did not meet standards, the report said.

Unprofessional practices include weak quality control, lack of follow-up surveillance reports and poorly compiled evaluation documents.

In recent years, the public have become increasingly aware of their well-being and environmental disputes have led to several mass protests.

In 2012, three violent protests against the construction of chemical projects near residential compounds broke out in the southwestern Chinese city of Shifang, as well as eastern cities of Qidong and Ningbo. There were confrontations between local residents and government officials.

All of the projects were eventually scrapped.

The MEP said they will make sure existing assessment agencies improve.