The 12th meeting of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee approved the Minamata Convention on Mercury on April 28, 2016. Recently, the Minamata Convention on Mercury was submitted by the State Council to the bi-monthly session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee for approval. The NPC Foreign Affairs Committee suggested in a report to lawmakers that the treaty should be ratified at this session as its content is in line with the principles of Chinese law as well as the country's interests and needs. China, the world's top mercury producer, user and emitter, has long been fighting mercury pollution to protect human health and the environment. Approval of the convention will help protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury, strengthen the public's awareness in preventing mercury pollution, and accelerate industry restructuring, according to the report. As of Nov 2, 2015, 128 countries and regional economic integration organizations had signed the convention and 18 of them, including the United States, had ratified it.

Source: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2016-04/25/content_24830689.htm