Chinese national political advisers discuss addressing problems in developing compensation mechanisms for ecological conservation at the 31st biweekly seminar of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference on Dec 5 in Beijing. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese national political advisers discussed addressing problems in developing compensation mechanisms for ecological conservation at the 31st biweekly seminar of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference on Dec 5 in Beijing.

The seminar was presided over by Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee.

Wang called for efforts to improve related policies and the stepping up of investment, and stressed the government's leading role and social participation in establishing a Chinese-style policy system for eco-compensation based on the country's conditions.

A total of 12 political advisers and scholars put forward their suggestions and over 160 CPPCC members shared their opinions via a mobile platform.

They said since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, explorations in great numbers have been carried out for eco-compensation mechanisms, and a policy framework has been established in a relatively short period of time.

According to them, some problems remained, including imperfect laws and regulations in the area and a lack of funding channels.

Political advisers proposed advancing legislation concerning eco-compensation mechanisms to better define the principles, areas, scope, subjects, standards and funding sources of the compensation and the rights and responsibilities of stakeholders.

They suggested actions to continue to take financial funds as main channels, to moderately increase financial transfer payments to areas of prohibited or restricted development, while strengthening implementation and supervision of the use of funds to improve the comprehensive benefits of eco-compensation.

As well, they proposed setting up more market-oriented and diversified eco-compensation mechanisms and strengthening trans-departmental information sharing and trans-regional coordination. The dynamic monitoring system of ecological resources and the index system counting ecosystem value were also called for.