Environmental authorities nationwide approved environmental impact assessments for 47,800 projects in the first half this year. Planned investment in these projects totals 8.4 trillion yuan ($1.2 trillion), a 28.9 percent increase on last year, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

The increase is thanks to a series of measures taken by the ministry to enhance the efficiency of its examination and approval processes.

For example, it now helps local environmental authorities by offering support throughout procedures, from drafting environmental impact assessment documents to government examination of national major projects during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25).