Judge: Environmental cases 'not easy'

Chinese courts have set up tribunals to focus on environmental disputes, but many challenges remain, an official of the country's top court said.

The country's top legislature passed the Environmental Protection Law in April. Two months later, the Supreme People's Court established a department to handle cases related to the environment and resources.

Since 2007, 143 special courts or collegiate benches have also been formed as part of a pilot program to hear environmental cases.