China has continued to make progress in ecological conservation, Premier Li Qiang said while delivering the government work report at the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) on Thursday.

In cities at and above the prefectural level, the proportion of days with good or excellent air quality rose to 89.3% over the past five years. As forest coverage rose above 25%, China achieved the world's fastest and largest increase in forest resources. 

"We also created the world's largest and fastest-growing renewable energy system," said Li.

The opening NPC session also saw the draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development submitted to the country's top legislature for review.

Five key indicators were put forward for green and low-carbon development over the next five years, covering reductions in carbon emissions and pollution as well as ecological conservation and environment protection, according to Li.

He also noted that, in accordance with China's Nationally Determined Contributions, the draft outline envisages a total reduction of 17% in carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP to promote the green and low-carbon transition across key sectors.