Eco-security, which is related to the interests of the whole of society, should be included on the agendas of government and legislative institutions.

Recently in many of China's big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Nanning and Chengdu, a fearsome predator has appeared in pet markets - a carnivorous native South American, nicknamed the "man-eating fish."

The Red Piranha- serrasalmus nattereri - originates from the Amazon River. In the Amazon River basin of Brazil, the Red Piranha, also called the "aquatic wolf" or "aquatic ghost" because of its ferocious and ruthless nature, is ranked number one on the list of the four most dangerous aquatic species.

Some people breed them purely out of curiosity. However, the tremendous harm this fish can do to other ecological systems has obviously been neglected.

Some ecologists are worried that, if fish like the Red Piranha is released into rivers and lakes, China's aquatic life would be seriously jeopardized, resulting in yet further destruction to the already struggling and damaged ecological balance.

Since there are no comparable indigenous species there would be no natural counterbalance or restraint on them. The alien import would become a real threat and almost certainly alter or despoil the local ecological environment by breaking the balance.

In fact, the Red Piranha is just one of a number of imported species intruding into the country, many of which have already taken their toll on China.

Time has come for the government to act by introducing and enforcing existing laws to control the import of foreign species.

Urgent measures should also be taken to raise the public's awareness to the threat of bio-aggression.

(China Daily December 23, 2002)