Closer Look: Why the NDRC Gets Mocked for 'Protecting the Environment'

(Beijing) – The reason the country's top economic planner gave for not cutting gas and diesel prices on December 15 as it was scheduled to – to protect the environment by discouraging fuel consumption– has been questioned and mocked online.

Indeed, the legal basis for the move, which has more to do with saving China's oil giants from financial losses, is shaky.