May 9, 2013
Translated by Yu Menglu

On Jan 30, Beijing lawyer Dong Zhengwei (董正伟) applied to the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) for the disclosure of soil pollution information, including its investigation methods and pollution cause and prevention measures.

On Feb 20, Dong received a response from MEP saying that it refused to reveal soil pollution data because it constituted a state secret. Unsatisfied with the response, Dong asked for an administrative review from MEP.

On May 8, Dong received MEP’s administrative review decision saying that what was said in the original response was legitimate and that the decision would be upheld.

In the written administrative review decision, MEP explained that due to certain constraints from current conditions, it’s difficult to get detailed data about soil pollution. The investigation carried out by MEP and relevant departments so far is just a general overview of soil pollution situation. Therefore, MEP is still carrying out further investigation in some key areas. It promised to release the results to the public after this investigation is complete.

Links & Sources
Beijing News: 环保部：“土壤污染数据属秘密”合法