UN environment chief Achim Steiner has praised a recent decision by the Chinese government to impose limits on the use of plastic bags.

"The impact of a ban on thin plastic bags in an economy the size of China has the potential to influence similar policies in Asia and globally," the UN under-secretary general and executive director of the UN Environment Program said.

The State Council last week ordered a ban on the production, sale and use of ultra-thin bags as of June 1. Supermarkets and shops will be barred from giving out plastic bags to customers from the same day.

(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2008)