Cheng Lifeng, a member of the Environment Protection and Resources Conservation Committee of the 13th National People's Congress, said at a news conference on Friday that the Standing Committee of the NPC has listed a Yangtze River protection law into the legislation plan for the year.

The Yangtze River Economic Zone has 40 percent of China's overall population and creates 40 percent of China's economic aggregate, which is of great significance to the country's economic and social development. But the river is seriously polluted.

There is a social consensus that a law is needed to protect the ecological environment of the Yangtze River.

According to Cheng, the committee has launched field research and investigations in many provinces and regions along the river including Chongqing, Shanghai and Jiangsu province. And a leading work group involving the committee of the NPC, the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate and various central government departments has been set up.

Cheng said the committee, which is heading the drafting work, has conducted seminars and on-site research to collect suggestions.

It has visited at least six of the total 19 provincial-level regions along the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and held meetings with local legislators, entrepreneurs, experts and law enforcement officers.

A working plan for the legislation has been made, which includes the basic principles, working procedure as well as a timetable and road map for the law.