China will never ease environmental actions despite downward pressure on its economy. Localities that did not effectively implement environmental policies will be punished, the country's Ecology and Environment Minister Li Ganjie said Monday.   

Minister Li reaffirmed that the country should never slack its efforts when meeting difficulties in the economy, and it is not right to sacrifice the environment for economic growth.

The ministry will continue to do its monitoring job, taking corrective measures and holding those localities accountable for their misdeeds, said Li. In this way, the battle against pollution can deliver effective outcomes and stand the test of time.

When asked about the one-policy-fits-all phenomenon from some localities in environmental protection, Minister Li explained that it does exist in some places, but it is not the mainstream nationwide.

This year, China has pledged to coordinate environmental protection and economic development in a bid to win the battle against pollution. The Central Economic Work Conference held last December also stressed that local governments must avoid blind practices in dealing with environmental problems.