By Russell Brown
May 1 is Labor Day in China. A source of considerable controversy, China's first proposed Labor Contract Law in more than ten years, while not passed into law during the annual National People's Congress, is, according to experts, assured of passage soon. Read More >

Beijing's municipal government will issue migrant workers at construction sites free multi-functional identity cards this year to prevent wage problems and better facilitate management. Read More >

China's State Environment Protection Administration has refused to hand out environmental protection approvals to twelve industrial projects that have failed to invite the public to assess their pollution control measures. Read More >

The United Steelworkers in the United States says it sent letters to select members of the American Chamber of Commerce in China urging them to distance themselves from the Chamber's attempt to undermine a proposed law that would bolster some rights of Chinese workers. Read More >

The Beijing Municipal Department of Health, Beijing Municipal Bureau of Commerce, Beijing Municipal Tourism Administration and Beijing Aiguo Weisheng have jointly issued a circular on carrying out a smoking ban among the restaurants in Beijing in an effort to provide a smoke-free Olympic Games in 2008. Read More >

The Xiluodu Hydropower Station, the first of four hydropower stations on Jinsha River and the second largest hydropower station in China, has reported some preliminary achievements in environmental protection. Read More >

China's State Administration for Industry and Commerce and the State Food and Drug Administration have jointly issued a proclamation exposing 16 television ads that have been accused of misleading consumers. Read More >

China's State Environment Protection Administration will enact a new measure from May 1, 2008, asking China's environmental departments and polluters to publish information regarding environmental degradation and pollution. Read More >

Bayer has signed a memorandum of understanding with the China Europe International Business School to work together to develop and enhance best practices in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors in China, which have grown rapidly in recent years. Read More >

Beijing transport authorities are to phase out 2,500 buses which fail to meet emissions standards and buy 2,810 environmentally-friendly vehicles this year. Read More >

Environmentalists from such groups as Conservation International, Environment Education Center of Global Village of Beijing and Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Base have gathered in Beijing and called on people to join in a "green travel" and make the upcoming May Day holiday a nature-friendly golden week. Read More >

Echelon says several major highways and bridges in the Yangtze River Delta will use the company's technology to reduce energy consumption. Read More >

Mitsubishi announced at the Auto Shanghai 2007 continued plans for its Environment Initiative Program 2010. Read More >

Headed by Douglas A. Barber, general manager of Sofitel Jin Jiang Oriental, and Anthony Myers, resident manager of Sofitel Hyland, the two Sofitel hotels in Shanghai under the banner of Accor, celebrated Accor's Earth Guest Day on April 22 by planting two Sofitel sister trees in the lawn just in front of Sofitel Jin Jiang Oriental in Pudong.

Foreign companies operating in China are often proactive in addressing corporate social responsibility initiatives in their businesses. For American companies, the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai has been one of the most active participants in organizing firms to build sustainable practices in the Middle Kingdom. Read More >