Highlights of environment minister's press conference

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China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection is holding a press conference at the media center of the Fifth Session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) on Thursday in Beijing.

Minister Chen Jining also briefed the media about eco-environmental protection and took questions from local and foreign journalists.

In the beginning of the press conference, Chen appealed to everyone to take part in environmental protection, saying, "each of us is both a polluter and a protector."

CFP Photo

On China’s environment protection in the past years:

"The speed of our improvement of the environment is not low,” said Chen, when he reviewed China’s environmental protection in the past three years.

“PM2.5 density in Beijing in 2016 was 73 micrograms per cubic meter on average, an 18 percent drop over that in 2013,” said Chen.

“And the average density in China’s 74 major cities was 50 micrograms per cubic meter in 2016, 30.6 percent less than in 2013,” Chen added.‍

On environmental protection law:

“Positive progress” has been made since the Environmental Protection Law took effect on January 1, 2015, said the minister.

Chen has also explained the progress, saying that local governments and enterprises are further required to undertake their responsibilities.

"Authorities have been making efforts to revise the relevant laws and regulations and to expand environmental inspections," added Chen. ‍

On citizens' environmental awareness

When asked about how to raise the environmental awareness of citizens, Chen highlighted factors such as public engagement, education, and information.

Last year, China launched the telephone hotline, "12369" to collect citizens’ complaints about pollution, providing a channel for citizens to express their views, according to Chen. ‍

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