China strengthened environmental protection and accelerated the green transformation of growth models in 2023 and the quality of its ecological environment has steadily improved, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Tuesday as he delivered a government work report.

He made the report on behalf of the State Council at the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress, held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday morning.

Over the past year, according to the report, China has intensified its battle to prevent and control pollution, constantly reducing the discharge of major pollutants and improving the water quality of surface and coastal waters. It noted that the "Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program" was launched in an all-round way, and China's installed capacity of renewable energy surpassed that of coal power for the first time in its history, contributing half of additional global renewable capacity in 2023.

According to the report, great efforts have been made to build a beautiful China and continuously battle for blue skies and clean water and soil.

It added that China has actively participated in and promoted global climate governance over the past year, formulated policies to support the development of green and low-carbon industries, and upgraded key industries to achieve ultra-low emissions. 

The country has also started construction of the first batch of carbon-peak pilot cities and industrial parks.