Zhejiang province recently introduced a "positive list" system to help with environmental evaluation and supervision of companies looking to resume operations amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Companies included on the list will receive certain benefits, such as being exempt from spot examinations by environmental protection authorities and having access to green channels when undergoing ecological assessment procedures.

More than 5,000 companies and projects in the province have been included on the list, mainly medical supply manufacturers, low-emissions companies, and major engineering projects that are important to people's livelihood.

"The system is not meant to excuse companies from responsibility to protect the environment, but to make environmental law enforcement more efficient amid the pandemic," said an official from the provincial environmental protection department.

Cities throughout the province are using drones and the internet to remotely supervise companies and avoid disturbing their operations.