The State Council recently issued the Action Plan for Soil Pollution Prevention and Control (hereinafter referred to as the Action Plan). This is the programmatic document guiding nationwide soil pollution prevention and control work now and in the period ahead.

The Action Plan proposes that by 2020, the worsening trend of soil pollution nationwide will be initially curbed, soil environmental quality will remain generally stable, the soil environmental safety of agricultural land and construction land will be basically guaranteed, and soil environmental risks will be basically brought under control. By 2030, national soil environmental quality will steadily improve, the soil environmental safety of agricultural land and construction land will be effectively guaranteed, and soil environmental risks will be fully controlled. By the middle of this century, soil environmental quality will be comprehensively improved and ecosystems will achieve a virtuous cycle.

Adhering to a problem-oriented approach and bottom-line thinking, focusing on key priorities and limited objectives, and following classified management and control and comprehensive measures, the Action Plan sets out measures in ten areas: First, carry out soil pollution surveys to ascertain soil environmental quality. Second, advance legislation on soil pollution prevention and control and establish a sound system of laws, regulations and standards. Third, implement classified management of agricultural land to ensure the environmental safety of agricultural production. Fourth, implement access management for construction land to guard against risks to the living environment. Fifth, strengthen protection of unpolluted soil and strictly control new soil pollution. Sixth, strengthen supervision of pollution sources and do a good job in soil pollution prevention. Seventh, carry out pollution treatment and remediation to improve regional soil environmental quality. Eighth, increase investment in scientific and technological research and development and promote the development of the environmental protection industry. Ninth, give play to the leading role of the government and build a soil environmental governance system. Tenth, strengthen performance assessment and strictly hold parties accountable.

Formulating and implementing the Action Plan for Soil Pollution Prevention and Control is a major measure by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council to advance ecological civilization and resolutely declare war on pollution, and an important strategic deployment for systematically carrying out pollution control. It plays an important role in ensuring the improvement of ecological and environmental quality and the safety and stability of various natural ecosystems. With this, together with the already issued Action Plan for Air Pollution Prevention and Control and Action Plan for Water Pollution Prevention and Control, the current government has formulated, issued and implemented all three pollution prevention and control action plans targeting the air, water and soil environmental pollution problems currently facing China.