The Ministry of Ecology and Environment ("MEE") has recently drafted and issued the Measures for Management of the Ecology and Environment Whistleblowing Hotline ("12369") (Draft for Comment) (the "Draft for Comment") for public comment by November 8, 2019.
The Draft for Comment requires that competent authorities of ecology and environment at all levels shall input, in a timely and standard way, the complete information on whistleblower reports made by the public, into the networked platform. The Draft for Comment also sets out definite requirements for relevant work procedures, including acceptance, handling, conclusion and reply, information disclosure. For instance, whistleblower reports of environmental pollution, ecological damage, and other irregularities in breach of laws, regulations, rules and relevant provisions regarding ecology and environment, which fall in the scope of duties of competent authorities of ecology and environment at all levels, should be accepted. However, under certain circumstances, e.g. "where no valid evidence or clue is provided to justify the report, making it impossible to ascertain the accusations", the whistleblower reports may be handled separately. In addition, the Draft for Comment notes that all levels of competent authorities of ecology and environment may offer awards to whistleblowers in due course. To be more specific, whistleblowers that dial the hotline to submit whistleblower reports may be commended or awarded if they make prominent contributions to ecological and environmental protection.