China announces comprehensive program to improve water environment in Lake Taihu basin

On June 23, 2022, the National Development and Reform Commission and other five government departments of China announced a comprehensive program to improve the water environment in the Lake Taihu (太湖) basin. This program was developed by totally updating the predecessor program that was announced in 2008 and implemented through 2020. The regions covered by the latest program are part of Jiangsu province (Suzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou and Zhenjiang), Zhejiang province (Huzhou, Jiaxing and Hangzhou) and Shanghai located within the Lake Taihu basin, with a total area of 31,800 m². The program includes targets for 2025 and 2035 as well as measures such as more effective industrial pollution control and expedited green transformation of the manufacturing industry.