The year 2014 witnessed major achievements in Chinese environmental law, particularly the revision of the basic environmental protection legislation. These achievements were based in part on recent policy developments by the Communist Party of China (CPC). In its 18th National Congress, held in 2012, the CPC proposed the notion of “a beautiful China” and emphasized environmental protection. The 18th CPC Central Committee convened its third plenary session, known as the Third Plenum, in November 2013 in Beijing. The meeting resulted in adoption of the “Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Some Major Issues Concerning Comprehensively Deepening the Reform,” as well as a communiqué. In 2014, the 18th CPC Central Committee convened its fourth plenary session and adopted a sesresolution on rule of law. As discussed below, these recent policy developments made their way into the environmental lawmaking process and became embodied in new rules.