China steps up efforts in combating air pollution

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01:49

China's Ecology and Environment Ministry said on Monday that China has no way back to win the battle against air pollution, and vowed to take more measures, prioritizing supervision, regional linkage, and further structural reform on industry and energy.

Liu Bingjiang, a spokesperson said that those in charge will be blamed if not implementing the prevention measures against air quality deterioration and atmospheric pollution.

The Ministry of Ecology and Environment held a press conference on China's efforts, achievement and future plans on addressing air pollution on Monday in Beijing. / CGTN Photo

"The implementation of comprehensive air pollution control treatment in autumn and winter in key areas will be reported to the public monthly," Liu stressed when talking about major actions in key areas like Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and surrounding areas - east China's Yangtze River Delta region and central-west China's Fenhe-Weihe plain.

Phased achievements have been observed in China since the country issued a three-year action plan for air pollution control last June.

According to the ministry, last year, 338 prefecture-and-above-level cities in China enjoyed good air quality on 79.3 percent of days last year, up 1.3 percent year on year.

Besides, the average PM2.5 density in these cities stood at 39 micrograms per cubic meter, falling 9.3 percent year on year.

The ministry attributes the reasons to elements, like the national awareness, structural adjustment in industry and energy and special responses to severe air pollution.

Beijing issued a three-year action plan for air pollution control last June, vowing to get more blue-sky days back to people. / CGTN Photo

In coal power alone, until the end of last year, 80 percent of the total installed capacity has met the ultra-low emission standards.

The total energy-saving reformation in the sector reached 650 million kilowatt hours, a task completed at least one year ahead of schedule.

The ministry added that the coal in the proportion of primary energy consumption in China went under 60 percent in the whole for the first time.

And last year, across the country, 3,500 air quality monitoring stations were established, and thousands of law enforcement personnel were mobilized.

The ministry says that to achieve the goals, more efforts should be made and the details on the action plan for 2019 will be released soon.

Combating air pollution is still a long way to go based on the current level, and China has no way back in winning the battle for people, the ministry of ecology and environment said. / CGTN Photo

When answering a question on an accusation of China's smog affecting South Korea, the spokesman Liu Bingjiang pointed that the air quality in China has improved by over 40 percent but that in South Korea remains the same and even deteriorates a bit.

He quoted an article written by a South Korean professor on under-estimation of NOx emission in South Korea.

"The best opportunity of fighting against smog will be missed if one only resorts to criticizing others," Liu said.

Liu Bingjiang stressed that addressing the environmental problems should be first based on a nation's own efforts and then seek and strengthen regional and global cooperation.

"China is willing to continue its active participation in global environmental governance, share relevant experiences and research results, and contribute to the sustainable development in Asia-pacific and other parts of the world," Liu said.