A top advisor has proposed amending China's current education law in a bid to give school children enough time for sports exercise.

"School session should last no more than eight hours to ensure the children have spare time for sports activities, which are essential to building up their health," said Feng Shiliang, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, on Wednesday.

The overall health situation of the school kids in China is far from satisfactory, said Feng, who heads a diabetes treatment center in northeastern Liaoning Province. "Many school boys find it difficult to finish the 1,500-meter race, a mandatory test in physical education for boys at high school."

Health experts have warned that lack of exercise and excessive sugar and fat intake have exposed some children to adult diseases including obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure. According to a survey conducted by Beijing Municipal Health Bureau last year, one fourth of the children under 15 were suffering from hypertension.

"We have boosted our national strength during the past two decades of economic boom, but the people's health -- particularly that of children -- has weakened," said Feng.

He said schools, communities and families should work together to encourage children to have more exercise." And school session should end at 5:00 PM if it starts at 8:00 AM."

Presently most Chinese schools begin classes at 7:00 AM and for at least four days of the week, students cannot get home before 6:00 PM.

(Xinhua News Agency March 9, 2005)