News 

A People’s Court in China made a ruling of first instance on September 28 on a case where a Taiwan-funded fastener company was suspected of cross-province discharge of hazardous waste contaminating Yangtze River. The Court ruled that the company would be fined RMB 10 million based on the environmental contamination the company incurred. The owner of the company and two critically involved defendants were penalized with 5 years and 9 months up to 6 years of imprisonment and a fine of RMB 200 thousand. The other defendants were sentenced to imprisonment or criminal detention along with fines. Coupling with the civil compensation, the total fine reached RMB 6.65 million, and the company was required to issue a public apology on the media.
 
In recent years China has gradually gain awareness on environment protection and has been toughening pertaining regulations. Many companies were forced to shutdown for not complying with the regulations. It is strongly suggested that companies planning to set up bases in China should comply with local regulations in case of unfathomable losses and penalties that serve good to no one.