In China, before a project can start, the impact of it on the surrounding environment has to be evaluated.

And thanks to a move by environmental protection departments in Tianjin to further open their system to the public, Diao can now get important information in time.

"In the past I always found there was no access to such policies," she said.

"But now new policies are publicized by the environmental protection departments as soon as they are made."

Diao's company is not the only beneficiary of the move, as all parties are now clear about issues like contacting the right person to discuss environmental problems, the framework for fining groups responsible for pollution and getting the criteria relating to construction approvals.

"We believe only when the general public is informed of our administration can they effectively supervise what we are doing and can our work go smoothly," said Zhu Zhigang, director of the Environmental Protection Bureau in Tianjin's Hebei District.

Zhu said a boost in the bureau's efficiency is another benefit from opening up the system.

Many companies had not been able to get problems solved in the past because they did not have a clear idea of the procedures involved.

However, they can now be guided by posters in the bureau, which clearly illustrate the system, and they know who they should turn to.

"People are now more active in reporting environmental problems around them," Zhu said.

In 2000, the State Environmental Protection Administration selected Tianjin and other bureaus in East China's Jiangsu Province, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Central China's Hubei Province and Northeast China's Liaoning Province to open their systems.

Now, the systems have been opened up in a total of 13 provinces, 252 cities and more than 1,400 counties across China.

(China Daily October 31, 2002)