According to the Chongqing High-Tech Industrial Development Zone (Chongqing High-Tech Zone) on November 8, Western (Chongqing) Science City takes the lead in introducing the three-in-one environmental impact assessment (EIA) approval system to create a better business environment. The Department of Ecology and Environment of Chongqing High-Tech Zone also assigns the approval of all application materials into one department, which reduces 63 types of application materials and 720 working days’ review and approval.

A bird's-eye view of the Western (Chongqing) Science City

The Department of Ecology and Environment has integrated three items that are strongly correlated and similar, i.e., environmental impact assessment, water and soil conservation plan, and demonstration for the arrangement of drain outlets to rivers (lakes and reservoirs) for one-time review and approval.

Chongqing High-Tech Zone has also issued the Technical Guide for the Preparation of Environmental Impact Report (Form) for Construction Projects. The Department of Ecology and Environment has already approved more than 40 EIA report forms in total, including those involving Phase II of Chongqing (CHN-USA) Hygeia Tumor Hospital and the Phase III of Gaoteng Avenue.

Besides, the Department of Ecology and Environment heralded a citywide EIA notification commitment system. Specifically, officials of the Department of Ecology and Environment should review four application materials submitted by enterprises upon receiving them. After confirmation, they should generate EIA approval letters with the chief approval representative's signature and finally issue them to enterprises. The whole process takes less than an hour.

According to a director of Chongqing High-Tech Zone, it has authorized the chief approval representative to approve several items, such as the EIA notification and commitment system and nighttime construction, saving the time for approval, reducing approval links, and realizing handling upon application for some items, and ultimately creating a better business environment.