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ChinaScience

Lots of buzz, no bite – authorities slap down proposal to rid China of mosquitoes

  • Proposal to China’s top legislative body to eradicate the pests is technically impossible, authorities say
  • Online reaction to idea is mixed, with some commenters questioning NPC priorities

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A proposal by deputies to China’s top legislature has called for authorities to wipe out mosquitoes. Experts say the idea won’t fly. Photo: Getty Images
Jane Cai
A proposal by deputies to China’s top legislature that called for mosquitos in China to be wiped out has created a lot of online buzz, but the idea has been swatted away as technically impossible, according to the National Health Commission.
The commission’s statement on Tuesday was in response to a proposal made by deputies to the National People’s Congress (NPC) earlier this year titled Suggestion on Comprehensively Carrying Out Mosquito Eradication.

In 2008, China listed the study and monitoring of pathogens among key research priorities for the country. Breakthroughs have been made in sampling, testing and related technologies. However, in general, “research on innovative mosquito control techniques remains relatively weak”, read a statement on the commission’s website.

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Government departments are required to respond to proposals from NPC deputies, which become eligible if they are signed by 30 or more deputies or an entire delegation. Nearly 3,000 deputies belong to the current NPC, which consists of 35 electoral units or delegations from across the country. It is unclear which deputies signed the proposal.

Globally, there are about 3,500 species of mosquitoes. Scientists say mosquitoes are among the most common carriers of disease and can harbour a wide variety of viruses. Mosquito-borne viruses have caused many serious public health problems throughout the world, such as Japanese encephalitis, dengue fever, malaria and Zika virus.

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Reaction to the idea on social media was mixed. An online survey run by the Phoenix Weekly web forum attracted more than 40,000 votes in five hours.

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