Construction and expansion of highways will be the focus of this year's meeting of a working group of the China Council for International Co-operation on the Environment and Development.

They will discuss pollution, possible environmental degradation and other issues as road work continues.

Four cities - Shenzhen, Dalian, Kunming and Qingdao - will submit highway planning drafts in May in response to the council's proposals to improve urban transportation and the environment, said group leader Wang Yangzu.

Urban transportation is causing serious pollution and traffic jams, said Wang, leader of the council's environment and transportation working group and minister adviser with the China State Environmental Protection Administration.

Founded in 1991, the China Council for International Co-operation on the Environment and Development is made up of more than 40 Chinese and foreign experts. They give advice on improving the country's environment.

At least 80 per cent of major roads in China's large cities cause noise that exceeds 70 decibels, official statistics indicate.

After a year of studying the problem, Wang said, in October nine experts made 16 suggestions. The research was backed by financial support from a German technology company and the Chinese Government.

Some large cities have improved conditions by establishing traffic guidance centres to provide drivers with information on traffic congestions and accidents, recommending the use of clean fuel and enforcing tailpipe exhaust standards.

"Their efforts are now on the way to becoming reality in these four trial cities," said Wang.

Mass transit including highways, railways, shipping routes and aviation also needss attention, said Wang.

According to official statistics, 5.46 million hectares of land were being used for transportation by 1996.

And 11.54 million hectares, an area equal in size to East China's Jiangsu Province, are expected to be in use by 2010, said Wang.

But transportation construction may destroy vegetation, cause soil erosion, release oil waste and cause noise pollution, he added. And, he said, the building could also damage historical sites and nature reserves.

But he said transportation networks are still expanding, to drive economic development.

"We need effective co-ordination among the five transportation means to better contribute to the economic development and environmental protection," he said.