China on Thursday began soliciting public opinions on a draft amendment to the environmental protection law that proposes harsher punishments for polluters.

Public opinion was first sought after the draft amendment's first reading in August 2012. Following those suggestions, the National People's Congress (NPC) Law Committee revised it, and the revised version was submitted to the NPC Standing Committee for the second reading in June.

The version for the second reading specifies for the first time that protecting the environment is a basic state policy. The draft also stipulates much harsher punishments for polluters.

The amendment is published on the NPC's website, npc.gov.cn, and opinions can also be mailed to the NPC Law Committee.

Xinhua