The Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) is China’s ecological and environmental watchdog. It was established in 2018 by the National People's Congress to shoulder environmental-protection responsibilities previously spread among several ministries. Its main functions include formulating ecological and environmental policies in conjunction with other agencies, while also implementing these policies. China’s top economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), also manages environmental issues – but on a broader level, such as planning. The MEE and NDRC have the same seniority in China’s governing structure. Both are directly managed by the nation’s chief administrative authority, the State Council. The minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment from 2020 is Huang Runqiu from the Jiusan Society, a minor political party. He is the only minister that is not from the Communist party as of early 2025.