BEIJING, Feb 25 (Alliance News): China has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating severe air pollution by the end of 2025, as authorities intensify efforts to curb emissions and enhance air quality, a senior environment official said.
Li Tianwei, Director of the Department of Atmospheric Environment, stated that the country will improve air quality forecasting and early warning systems while strengthening the management of PM2.5 and ozone pollution.
“The battle for blue skies remains unchanged,” he emphasized, according to a transcript published by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.
Despite significant improvements, air pollution continues to pose serious health and economic challenges. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), pollution-related illnesses contribute to around two million deaths annually in China.
In 2024, China saw progress in air quality, with the average PM2.5 concentration in cities dropping to 29.3 microgrammes per cubic metre, marking a 2.7% decrease from the previous year. Additionally, the proportion of days with good air quality increased to 87.2%.
To achieve its ambitious targets, China plans to introduce stricter emission standards aligned with global best practices.
The government will also promote the use of new energy vehicles and machinery in airports, ports, and logistics parks while encouraging the transportation of bulk goods via rail and waterways instead of roads.
President Xi Jinping has repeatedly underscored the importance of environmental conservation, emphasizing that sustainability is a key pillar in China’s vision of a modern socialist country.
