At the national level, China has more than 20 environmental laws adopted by the National People's Congress, there are also over 140 executive regulations issued by the state council, and a series of sector regulations and environmental standards set by the State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA).Carter, N.T. and Mol, A.P.J. (2007) Environment Governance in China. London: Routledge In 2003, the government of China proposed a new development concept emphasizing humanism and attempting to achieve sustainable development and harmony between man and nature, as well as coordinated socio-economic progress among various regions and with foreign countries.Wen, J. (2004) http://www.sociology.cass.netcn/shxw/shgz/shgz6/t20040405_1994.htm At the international level, China has also participated in treaties such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Millennium Development Goals, which include poverty alleviation, environmental protection and sustainable development.Liu, J. and Diamond, J. (2005) 'China's Environment in a globalizing world', nature, 435, 1179-1186
