China‘‘s top legislature is deliberating a draft amendment to the Law on Solid Waste Pollution Prevention in an effort to avoid becoming the "world‘‘s largest dumping ground."

The China Daily reports that the draft amendment, intended to improve the management of solid waste, was submitted for the "first deliberation" to the 12th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 10th National People‘‘s Congress (NPC) held from October 22 through tomorrow.

While the nation plays a greater role in the world‘‘s manufacturing sector, it faces the danger of becoming the world‘‘s largest dumping ground, both experts and the media across the country have repeatedly warned. Many are angry that so much imported garbage enters the country since enough self-created environmental problems already exist.

"The rapid growth of the Chinese economy has resulted in a huge market for foreign renewable resources. But current regulations cannot maintain effective, systematic management, providing too many opportunities for illegal trafficking," said Wang Jiwei, general secretary of the renewable metal department of the Nonferrous Metal Association.

China imported 3 million tons of plastic waste in 2003, and 1.88 million additional tons in the first half of 2004, up 31 percent from the same period last year, according to customs statistics. Wang said the proper use of reusable resources like waste iron can greatly reduce pollution and energy consumption. Both are vital, as the country experiences both increasing pollution and chronic power shortages. "How to take advantage of imported garbage while effectively preventing the entry of hazardous foreign waste is a major task of the legislature," Wang said.

Zhang Lijun, director of the pollution control department under the State Environmental Protection Administration, said a basic legal system on waste use exists. But he stressed that regulations do not fully address the seriousness of the situation. Zhang Lijun, whose department is in charge of the implementation of the law, said: "The draft amendment is expected to play a crucial role in lessening imported waste‘‘s threat to the country‘‘s environment and people‘‘s health."

According to the draft, all imported waste will be classified into three categories - non-import, restrictive import and automatic approval. Each will be treated differently under the law.

All imported waste should meet official standards and must receive government checks, said the draft