China's first law on circular economy, which aims at protecting the environment in economically feasible ways, is expected to be launched in January 2008, said Feng Zhijun, vice chairman of the Environmental and Resources Protection Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC).

Addressing the Forum of China's Circular Economy Development held yesterday in Beijing, Feng also introduced the major contents of the draft law, including the establishment of a green economic policy, evaluation system and the standards for an effective environmentally-conscious economy.

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China's top economic planner, will also promote the collection and utilization of waste, prevent pollution production, and improve innovative capabilities of the circular economy, said Zhou Changyi, deputy director of the Department of Resource Conservation and Environmental Protection under the NDRC, at the forum.

Lu Wei, vice president of Xinhua News Agency, also urged media to pay more attention to the green economic policy and vigorously advocate the successful experiences in developing an effective green economy.

The State Council will also announce a specific working plan for reducing energy consumption.

According to China's 11th Five-year Program (2006-10), China's energy consumption for every 10,000 yuan (US$1,307) of gross domestic product (GDP) should be reduced by 20 percent by the end of 2010, while pollutant discharge should drop by 10 percent.

Although China has made more efforts to reduce energy consumption and pollution, energy consumption fell only 1.23 percent last year, well short of the annual goal of four percent.

(chinadaily.com.cn)