China plans Green Tax

China is planning a consumption tax for disposable chopsticks, plastic bags, diapers and other environmentally harmful goods starting next year. Chinese authorities say the move is aimed at bringing about an “environmentally friendly society.” Levying the tax is also intended to discourage consumers. However Chinese scholars also warned that it was difficult to identify products as disposable. The move follows the step of New Zealand, which will tax the emission of smoke and dust, and Sweden, which will levy a traffic congestion tax starting 2006.