Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of establishing a policy environmental impact assessment (EIA) system to enhance decision-making processes and support the construction of a beautiful China, drawing on the experiences of the social stability risk assessment (SRA) system [1][3]. Group 1: Policy Environmental Impact Assessment - The new regulation requires local government leaders to analyze and predict environmental impacts before making significant administrative decisions, providing a direct basis for policy EIAs [1]. - The establishment of the policy EIA system is seen as a crucial step towards improving the scientific, democratic, and legal levels of decision-making, ultimately contributing to high-quality development [1]. Group 2: Lessons from Social Stability Risk Assessment - The SRA system, initiated in 2005, has evolved through various stages, culminating in the formal establishment of the mechanism in 2012, which serves as a model for the development of the policy EIA system [2]. - The experiences from the SRA system highlight the need for a systematic approach to policy EIAs, including pilot projects to test and refine methodologies [4]. Group 3: Integration with National Strategies - The policy EIA should align with the goals of the beautiful China initiative, integrating environmental considerations into all aspects of economic and social development [3]. - The policy EIA can help identify solutions to significant resource and environmental issues that hinder the beautiful China initiative, such as the management of industrial waste [3]. Group 4: Implementation Strategies - The article suggests using pilot projects to promote the policy EIA system, allowing for practical exploration of methods and mechanisms while providing demonstrative support for policy formulation [4]. - The 2019 Interim Regulations on Major Administrative Decision-Making emphasize the importance of risk assessments, including environmental risks, which can serve as a foundation for the policy EIA [5]. Group 5: Incentives for Local Governments - Establishing an incentive mechanism for local governments to conduct policy EIAs is crucial, as it can enhance their willingness to engage in these assessments without fearing restrictions on decision-making [6]. - Integrating policy EIAs into local government performance evaluations can motivate officials to prioritize environmental assessments in their planning and decision-making processes [6].