The new round of checks is a more active response and a systematic approach. But we cannot expect just one examination to solve all the potential threats.

My understanding is that the drafting of the law is a preparatory step to set up a central government department to supervise energy security and clean use.

SEPA has sent out teams throughout the country for inspections.

It's a very good idea. But the practicality of that and how applicable it is in local situations is something very hard to do.

China's environmental problems will be four or five times as bad 15 years from now if it continues in current energy consumption and pollution trends.

If you really want to change, you need to develop a system in which the environment is a parameter that plays a more and more important role in the status or evaluation of local officials' behavior.

SEPA is busy handling highly frequent environmental accidents. It is hard for SEPA to spare more manpower and resources into pushing the regulation to every corner of the country.