During July to August 2016, 5 people from Foshan City transported waste materials such as waste gummed paper from Zhongtang Town, Dongguan City to Hengmen seaway embankment in Minzhong Town, Zhongshan City and toppled over to the sea, resulting in serious marine pollution.

The case was heard by Guangzhou Maritime Court in Intermediate People's Court of Zhongshan City on April 18. Zhongshan Ocean and Fisheries Bureau prosecuted the 5 persons and requested the court to order them to compensate 7.8mn yuan for the environmental restoration and losses. 

This case is China’s first civil public litigation case supported by prosecutors about pollution of the marine environment after the revised “Civil Procedure Law” implemented.