Five provinces the latest targets for central environmental inspection

China has launched a new round of its high-profile central environmental inspection as it seeks to accelerate the transition to a green development model.

The provinces of Fujian, Henan, Hainan, Gansu and Qinghai will be the first batch covered by the third round of the inspection, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment said in a news release.

Usually led by minister-level officials, inspection teams report to a central group led by a vice-premier of the State Council, the country's cabinet. A coordination bureau for the inspection has been set up at the ministry.

Chen Run'er, former Party chief of the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, will head the inspection team going to Fujian, with Zhai Qing, a vice-minister of ecology and environment, to be its deputy head.

The implementation of major decisions and deployments by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council on the construction of an ecological civilization will be one focus for inspectors, the ministry said.

Local authorities' performances in promoting green transition and high-quality development will be another. The inspection teams will look into whether local governments have resolutely curbed the blind development of industries with high emissions and energy consumption, it said.

The ministry said inspectors will also pay special attention to environmental violations that have prompted public concerns, and each team will publicize contact information so that members of the public can submit tip-offs.