Shanghai customs ordered the return of 7,056 tons of suspected smuggled solid waste to the countries of origin in May.

(Photo: People's Daily/Shen Wenmin)

"Some companies have gone bankrupt, and some shipping companies have even closed down or withdrawn from Chinese market, making it difficult for this waste to be sent back," a chief of Shanghai customs announced. 

Undeclared solid waste often needs to be stacked in a port or placed in a warehouse for a long time, creating a waste of port resources and safety risks. Meanwhile, the waste poses a threat to the environment and public health.

Banning foreign garbage from entering China is one of the hallmark measures of the country's efforts to build an ecological civilization. Shanghai customs will continue to crack down on foreign garbage smuggling and resolutely block foreign garbage from entering China.

(Compiled by Xu Zheqi)