VIVID AND REAL: A woman acts with "Bruce Lee" at a 3D design expo, which kicked off on August 6 in Beijing (ZHAO BING)

Waste Disposal

China has begun to build its first facility for the disposal of highly radioactive liquid waste, using a technique that combines the liquid with glass to form a solid, the China National Nuclear Corp. (CNNC) said on August 1.

The techniques for disposing of low- and medium-level radioactive liquid waste are considered mature, but those for disposal of more radioactive grades still require breakthroughs.

With glass solidification, radioactive waste solution is processed and mixed with additives. It is then combined with glass and the mixture is heated. When it cools, it becomes a solid glass or ceramic product.

The CNNC said glass solidification is the most effective method to dispose of highly radioactive liquid waste. In cooperation with domestic and international institutions, the CNNC conducted successful tests of the technique and was awarded a construction permit in February.

The CNNC said the new permit will increase China's capacity to safely manage radioactive waste.

Food Safety

Several Chinese cities have piloted the merging of quality watchdogs to ensure food safety.

Tianjin in north China set up the Tianjin Market and Quality Supervision Administration by merging three municipal government departments—the industry and commerce administration, quality and technical inspection as well as the food and drug administration.

The new combined market watchdog of Tianjin is the first provincial-level one of its kind in the country. Similar bodies have been established in Zhoushan in east China's Zhejiang Province, Pudong New Area in Shanghai and Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province this year.

The reform will not only facilitate trade and investment, but also further improve the safety supervision of food and other commodities, said Lin Lijun, head of the Tianjin Market and Quality Supervision Administration.

Staff of the previous three government bodies will be integrated and specialized, according to Lin.

Social Credit Valued

A Chinese authority said a social credit record system will be set up to cover citizens, corporations and other organizations in the country.

The move is to promote integrity, credibility and good faith in Chinese society, according to a document published on August 1 by the Central Commission for Guiding Ethic and Cultural Progress.

The document urged the establishment of a uniform social credit record system as well as a database linked to the system.

Such information will be integrated with the records regarding issues such as corporations' registration and administration, taxation, production safety, food and drug safety, environmental protection, medical care and intellectual property rights, the document said.

Moreover, the sharing system for such information will also be enhanced.

Those who have acted with honesty and good faith will be listed in a credibility list and a blacklist of discredit cases will also be formed and made available to relevant parties.