China Promulgates “Ecological Environment Code”: Part 8—Ecological Protection

On March 12, 2026, the 14th National People's Congress officially promulgated the "Ecological Environment Code of the People's Republic of China," China's first comprehensive legal code in the field of environmental protection. The Code consists of five books totaling 1,241 articles. Among them, Book 3, "Ecological Protection" (Articles 674–991), is designated as a key area. It provides detailed regulations on ecosystem protection, natural resource conservation and sustainable use, species protection, the protection of key geographical areas, prevention and control of ecological degradation, and ecosystem restoration.