Yuan Jie, director of the office, said the shift of power from the central government to local governments can help them solve regional problems specific to them more effectively.

Pan Yue, vice-minister of Environmental Protection, said that along with more power will come harsher administrative accountability measures.

"Officials who are found to have approved illegal projects, covered up illegal behavior, failed to act in time after public tips, forged monitoring data, and failed to disclose environmental information that should be publicized by law will face punishments such as demotion, removal from their posts and losing their jobs," he said.

Questions:

1. What takes effect on Jan 1?

2. What does it do?

3. Who approved the law?

Answers:

1. The nation’s new Environmental Protection Law.

2. Gives local government bodies, especially environmental protection departments, increased supervisory duties.

3. The National People's Congress.

About the broadcaster:

Anne Ruisi is an editor at China Daily online with more than 30 years of experience as a newspaper editor and reporter. She has worked at newspapers in the U.S., including The Birmingham News in Alabama and City Newspaper of Rochester, N.Y.

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