2013年6月底，人大常委会对《中国环境保护法修正案（草案）》二次审议稿进行了审议。鉴于目前广泛的讨论，很多人臆测这项法律初稿还要经第四轮的修改，才能最终生效[1]。这些修改是中国环保法1989年生效以来对其的首次修正。
原全国人大环资委研究室办公室副主任骆建华解释说，目前为止做出的修改重点厘定为七个领域：1) 法律的大致角色；2) 当地政府的职责；3) 公开环境统计数据；4) 防止农村地区与农业相关的污染；5) 公众参与；6) 信息透明度；以及7) 惩治措施。[2]核心论题目前围绕对环境污染提起的集体诉讼展开。现行法律下，代表公众对环境污染提起集体诉讼的权利人为数甚少，最为人所知的可能就属半官方性质的中华环保联合会了。
Continue Reading 从环境保护法草案看集体诉讼
By Miao Jing King & Wood Mallesons’ Energy, Resources and Projects Group
The National Energy Administration (“NEA”) issued the Shale Gas Industry Policy (“Policy”) on October 22, 2013, which was made public on October 30, 2013. The Policy recommends certain reforms to encourage shale gas development in China. The key points are set out below.
Continue Reading NEA calls for reforms to encourage shale gas development
中国商务部的统计数据显示，在即将结束的2013年中，中国海外投资继续保持高速增长的势头。其中，能源资源类投资继续占据较大比例。 2012年，中国对外直接投资878亿美元，首次成为世界三大对外投资国之一。其中采矿业对外直接投资135.4亿美元，与能源资源相关的“电力、热力、燃气及水的生产和供应业”超过10亿美元。[1]
岁末年终，本文将从地域（和代表性国家）的角度，对中国企业对海外能源和资源行业的投资趋势进行总结，分析相关趋势的成因，并对中国企业境外投资的主要问题和风险进行提示。
Continue Reading 2013：中国对外投资趋势概述 — 能源与资源并购交易
作者：Gonzalo Olivera，Alberto Artes （SJ Berwin Madrid Office）
2013年7月2日，西班牙政府通过了皇家法令9/2013法，采取紧急措施，确保电力系统的财政稳定（“RDL 9/2013”）。
Continue Reading 西班牙能源行业的变动及对投资者经济预期的影响
By Miao Jing King & Wood Mallesons’ M&A Group
A recent State Council opinion[i] (the “Opinion”) offers detailed suggestions to policy-makers for encouraging the development of China’s coalbed methane (CBM) industry. Although the Opinion does not contain binding rules, it does list recommendations for future CBM policies and regulations and may provide valuable insights to CBM investors as to what may be coming.
Published by the Central Government on September 22, 2013, the Opinion covers a range of topics, from subsidies to coordination with coal mine operators. Highlights of these topics are discussed below.
Continue Reading New State Council Opinion Encourages CBM Development
By Harry Du and Thomas McGinn King & Wood Mallesons’ M&A Group
At the end of October 2013, the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) finalized the third draft of amendments to China’s Environmental Protection Law (《环境保护法修正案（草案）》).
In light of the extensive debate so far, many speculate that the Law will undergo a fourth draft before the New Environmental Protection Law enters into force[1]. Such changes would constitute the first amendment to the Law since it came into force in 1989.
Continue Reading Who Can Initiate Class-action Lawsuits under the Draft Environmental Protection Law?
By Dina Yin and Miao Jing King & Wood Mallesons’ Mergers & Acquisitions Group
A State Council Decision(1), made public on July 26, 2013, repealed the administrative measures regarding coal production licenses. The decision came following changes to China’s Coal Industry Law(2) which abolished the need for the license. As a result of the changes to the Coal Industry Law, companies (both domestic and foreign-invested enterprises) will no longer need to obtain a coal production license to produce coal or a coal trading license to sell coal.
Continue Reading Coal Production Licenses and Coal Trading Licenses No Longer Required
by Dina Yin, Zhao Yan and Miao Jing King & Wood Mallesons’ Mergers & Acquisitions Group
PRC tax authorities have clarified, effective July 1, 2013, that oil and gas companies producing shale gas/coal bed methane (“CBM”) or service providers related to such production will be subject to a 17% VAT when providing labor services in relation to the production of shale gas or CBM.Continue Reading Shale Gas and CBM Companies to Pay VAT
By King & Wood Mallesons’ Compliance Group
With environmental pollution front and center in the Chinese press, the government in Beijing has moved to address at least one aspect of the problem – soil pollution. In a likely sign that new regulations on soil quality are on their way, the State Council recently issued a directive titled “Working Arrangement of the Recent Environmental Protection and Comprehensive Treatment of Soil.” Investors take note: the policies proposed by the Council will almost certainly impact existing and future investments in sectors such as manufacturing and heavy industry, as well as investments in geographic areas deemed to be ecologically sensitive.
Continue Reading Push For Soil Quality Regulations Will Have Consequences for Investors
作者：金杜律师事务所法律合规组
随着环境污染问题逐步占据中国媒体的头版头条，中央政府也开始寻求解决环境问题的方案，土壤污染问题就是其中的一个突破口。国务院最近发布了题为《近期土壤环境保护和综合治理工作安排》的通知，这将预示着政府将在土壤环境保护方面进行大量的立法工作。投资者应当注意： 该通知一定会对您在华，不论是现阶段还是将来的投资产生深远的影响。尤其体现在制造业、重工业领域，以及一些环境保护的敏感地区。
Continue Reading 对投资者产生深远影响的土壤环境治理规则
