Beijing urgently needs to reform its laws to promote the efficient use of resources, experts said yesterday, warning that shortages pose an increasingly big obstacle to the country's development.
Wang Mengkui , director of the State Council's Development Research Centre, said authorities should outline the strategies needed to achieve a 'recycling economy' and enhance the efficiency of resource consumption.
He listed laws covering land and water resources management, construction, electricity and coal, and other resources as those requiring changes.
'It is necessary to strengthen the legislation and the reform of the current system,' he said.
Mr Wang was speaking at a session on sustainable development at the three-day 21st Century Forum organised by the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
At the same forum, Feng Zhijun , a member of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, warned that a severe shortage of natural resources had already created 'six difficult problems' for the mainland's economic development, including low efficiency, severe pollution and a heavy reliance on overseas supply.