China will make stronger efforts to implement the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) to protect human health and build an environment-friendly society, a senior official of the country's environment watchdog said Thursday.

Zhang Lijun, deputy director of the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA), made the remarks to mark the first anniversary of China's implementation of the convention, which became effective in China on Nov. 11 last year.

Facing tough challenges, China has adopted a series of measures to phase out and control the existing POPs, and prevent the newly-produced POP pollution, he said.

China has made initial achievements in the prevention and control of the POPs through arduous efforts, he added.

He cited the country's efforts to supervise the production, circulation, storage and disposal of the dangerous chemicals and the research conducted to map out a strategic plan to control them.

China set up a national work group to coordinate the country's efforts to implement the Stockholm Convention early this year, he said, noting the group will be responsible for examining policies, standards, laws and regulations governing POPs control in the country.

Zhang appreciated the international community for its support to China's efforts in the POPs control, pledging the Chinese government will work more closely with other countries and international institutions for better implementation of the convention.

POPs are highly toxic, which may cause an array of adverse effects including death, disease and birth defects, among humans and animals.

They may also induce cancer, allergies and hypersensitivity, damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems, reproductive disorders, and disruption of the immune system.

The Stockholm convention was passed in May 2001. The treaty requires all parties to take necessary steps to ban the production and use of some of the most toxic chemicals.

The 12 initial POPs are aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor mirex, toxaphene, polychlorinated biphenols (PCBs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), dioxins and furans, which may severely threaten the sustainable development of humanity and society。

(Xinhua News Agency November 11, 2005)