Compilation of Chinese Standards
Social and environmental standards are intended to protect people and ecosystems from the negative impacts of investment projects. They may be reflected in policies, guidelines or systems that developers, investors and financiers adopt to prevent and mitigate the negative impacts of their business activities. They should be implemented during the entire project cycle, from identification, design and preparation, through development and operation, to the closure of a project.
Chinese companies and financiers often lack strong institutional policies to deal with social and environmental issues. However, this is gradually beginning to change. Chinese banks have adopted internal social and environmental policies. Chinese companies are increasingly making commitments to operate in a responsible manner when operating overseas, adopting their own policies and signing on to international principles and standards. Importantly, Chinese state institutions have recognized the need for improved social and environmental standards in overseas investments and in recent years have issued several policies for financiers and companies operating overseas.
The policies and guidelines adopted by the Chinese government to date often lack detail and none have enforcement or accountability mechanisms related to social and environmental responsibilities. However, they are becoming increasingly detailed and indicate ongoing high-level support for improving practices in overseas projects, and they can potentially be drawn on by communities seeking to protect their rights and the environment. This section covers some of the key state policies and administrative regulations that govern Chinese overseas investment, as well as social and environmental guidelines currently in place.
This compilation of Chinese standards draws together policies and guidelines relevant to overseas investment and finance issued by state institutions, industry associations, companies and banks. It is organized according to the types of projects each set of standards applies to. You can find discussion on specific documents and explanations of how they apply in Inclusive Development International’s online resource, How to Hold Chinese Corporations Accountable.
THE BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE
For an overview of the Belt and Road Initiative guiding documents, and articles related to environmental and social protections, see here.
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National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of Commerce (with State Council authorization)
Top-level vision document setting out key focal areas of the Belt and Road Initiative
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Document elaborating vision for strengthening energy cooperation in the Belt and Road Initiative.
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FOREIGN AID
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State Council
中国的对外援助 (2014)
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State Council
中国的对外援助 (2021)
APPROVAL AND MONITORING OF OVERSEAS INVESTMENT
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Interim Measures for Recording and Pre-approval of Overseas Investment (MOFCOM, et.al., [2018] #24)
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STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES
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The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) screens projects based on a “negative list,” including “prohibited” and “special supervision” categories.
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THE FINANCIAL SECTOR
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INTERNATIONAL CONTRACTING
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Notice on Strengthening the Reporting of Foreign Contracted Projects (MOFCOM [2021] #204)
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Operational Manual for the Guide on Social Responsibility for Chinese International Contractors (2018)
MINING & MINERALS
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AGRICULTURE & FORESTRY
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Industry guidelines providing instructions to companies with overseas agriculture-related investments. Includes guidance for establishing responsibility systems, selecting investment locations and projects, and building awareness of social responsibility.
COMPANY POLICIES
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Powerchina International
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China Datang Corporation Regulation on Environmental Protection (undated)
China Datang Corporation Regulation on Project Safety, Health and Environment (2009)
China Datang Corporation Handbook on Safety Risk Evaluation for Datang’s Hydropower Companies (2011)
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Its ethical and compliance principles, covering issues including fraud and criminal conduct and anti-corruption.
Its policy covering employees, governance, society, consultation and complaints.
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The company’s guidelines covering quality, health, safety, environment, local communities and disclosure, among other things, which apply to CNPC employees, representatives and others doing work in the name of CNPC, and companies in which CNPC has a controlling share.
SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
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Guidelines for Green Development in Overseas Investment and Cooperation (MOFCOM [2021] #309)
对外投资合作绿色发展工作指引 (商合函 [2021] 309号)
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Guidelines for Ecological Environmental Protection in Foreign Investment Cooperation and Construction Projects (MEE [2022] #2)
对外投资合作建设项目生态环境保护指南 (环办环评 [2022] 2号)