Crack down on import of toxic waste

WHEN CUSTOMS OFFICIALS IN WENZHOU, Zhejiang province, checked six containers that had been imported on Tuesday, they found carbon residue from aluminum electrolytic capacitors, which are typically used in power supply equipment and converters. In total, the officials found 42 containers with 1,075 metric tons of carbon waste. Legal Daily comments:

The Wenzhou discovery is not an isolated case. Many such cases have come to light over past few years. Used computers, TV sets, refrigerators and clothes are some of the things that certain foreign companies have "exported" to China.

Last year, Shanwei in Guangdong province prevented the "import" of 780 tons of used clothes, while customs officials in Shenzhen discovered 549 tons of "imported" used clothes. This shows the import of waste has become a problem for China.