China's Ministry of Environmental Protection has imposed a fine of CNY200,000 on China First Heavy Industries, one of the key state-owned enterprises in the country, for environmental violations.
MEP said that First Heavy Industries had began the construction of a first class casting base and a large scale casting component transformation project before the impact of the project on the environment had been approved and, in so doing, it violated the relevant Chinese environment laws.
According to The Law of the People's Republic of China on Environmental Impact Assessment, companies that start construction of projects without an approved environment impact assessment shall be ordered to stop the construction and fined from CNY50,000 to CNY200,000.
Located in Qiqihaer city in Heilongjiang province, China First Heavy Industries, which grew out of the former First Heavy Machinery Works, was founded in 1954. According to the company's website it is one of 53 state-owned key enterprises which are directly administrated by the Central Committee.
