Xinhua reports that China is expected to introduce new rules to smooth out its environment assessment work, aiming to promote the reform of the country's environment impact assessment practices and strengthen the administration of assessment bodies.

According to Pan Yue, deputy director of the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA), SEPA will issue a set of new management rules on the qualification of the organizations that carry out environment impact assessments of construction projects. But Pan did not say when the rules will take effect.