Home / Environment / News Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read | Comment
4 Japanese Fined for Illegal Surveying in Xinjiang
Adjust font size:

Four Japanese citizens have been fined 20,000 yuan (US$2,590) for illegal mapping and surveying activities in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the regional bureau of surveying and mapping said yesterday.

 

The four Japanese scholars, including Hidehiro Soma and three others, were asked by Japan's Research Institute for Humanity and Nature to carry out research into the ecological and environmental changes in the Ebinur Lake, a salt lake in Xinjiang.

 

On March 5, the four men used GPS equipment to survey and map the area. Li Quanzhan, director of the bureau, said they had not obtained approval to carry out such mapping activities and their act had violated relevant Chinese laws.

 

"It was disrespectful to Chinese laws and their actions will not help research cooperation between the two countries," he said, adding that the bureau had confiscated the surveying equipment and results.

 

The four men later apologized and promised to abide by Chinese laws in future research activities in the country.

 

Last April, two Japanese scholars were fined 80,000 yuan (US$10,360.5) and deported for mapping the coordinates of an airport and water facilities in Hotan of Xinjiang.

 

Statistics from the bureau showed there were 759 cases of illegal surveying and mapping in 2006, many of which involved foreign organizations and individuals.

 

According to a new regulation that came to effect on March 1 this year, foreign organizations and individuals who intend to engage in surveying and mapping must obtain approval from the central government and be supervised by local governments.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2007)

Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read
Comment
Pet Name
Anonymous

China Archives
Related >>
- Unlawful Surveys to Be Dealt Severely
- China Cracks Down on Illegal Surveying and Mapping
Most Viewed >>
Air Quality 
Cities Major Pollutant Air Quality Level
Beijing particulate matter II
Shanghai particulate matter III1
Guangzhou sulfur dioxide II
Chongqing particulate matter III2
Xi'an particulate matter III1
Most Read
- White paper on energy
- Endangered monkeys grow in number
- Yangtze River's Three Gorges 2 mln years in the making
- The authorities sets sights on polluted soil
- China, US benefit from clean energy
NGO Events Calendar Tips
- Hand in hand to protect endangered animals and plants
- Changchun, Mini-marathon Aimed at Protecting Siberian Tiger
- Water Walk by Nature University
- Green Earth Documentary Salon
- Prof. Maria E. Fernandez to Give a Lecture on Climate Change
More
Archives
UN meets on climate change
The UN Climate Change Conference brought together representatives of over 180 countries and observers from various organizations.
Panda Facts
A record 28 panda cubs born via artificial insemination have survived in 2006.
South China Karst
Rich and unique karst landforms located in south China display exceptional natural beauty.
Saving the Tibetan Antelopes
The rare animals survive in the harsh natural environment of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
More
Laws & Regulations
- Forestry Law of the People's Republic of China
- Meteorology Law of the People's Republic of China
- Fire Control Law of the People's Republic of China
- Law on Protecting Against and Mitigating Earthquake Disasters
- Law of the People's Republic of China on Conserving Energy
More
Links:
State Environmental Protection Administration
Ministry of Water Resources
Ministry of Land and Resources
China Environmental Industry Network
Chengdu Giant Panda Research Base