China is planning a geological environment warning system in a bid to issue timely warnings of environmental risks.

Governments at county levels will be responsible for the system. They should publish geo-environment monitoring results and simultaneously issue warnings if the results indicate abnormal situations, according to a government regulation released on Tuesday for public opinion.

Local governments should also take active measures to prevent possible risks, the regulation said.

The regulation prohibits any individual or companies from publishing environmental monitoring information before it has been reviewed and approved by the county government.

Construction companies must employ qualified geo-environment monitoring institutions to conduct environment appraisals before operations, and they will be responsible for effects caused by their operation.

(Xinhua News Agency October 9, 2013)