China sees steady progress in battle against pollution in 2018: minister

China's environment minister says the country has made steady progress in combating pollution over the past year.

China's environment minister Li Ganjie receives an interview on the sidelines of the second session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. [Photo: Xinhua]

Li Ganjie made the remarks on the sidelines of the second session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. He says China's environment has witnessed continuous improvement in the past year, thanks to efforts to push forward air pollution control.

"The average density of PM2.5 in 338 major Chinese cities at prefecture level and above dropped by 9.3 percent year on year in 2018. The PM2.5 density in Beijing dropped 12.1 percent last year, following a 20.5-percent decline in 2017. That is a truly big progress," says Li Ganjie.

PM2.5 refers to hazardous fine particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, and is regarded as a key indicator of air pollution.

Li Ganjie also says water quality in the country has improved. He adds that all the targets and indicators for environmental protection set out in the 2018 plan have been successfully completed.

The minister also vows that the country will focus on seven sectors to further battle pollution.

"We will work hard to win the 'seven battles': the battle against air pollution for more blue skies, the battle against pollution by urban diesel-fueled trucks and wastewater, the battle of ecological restoration along the Yangtze River, the comprehensive battle against pollution in the Bohai Sea, the battle against black and stinky water in urban areas, the battle of ecological protection of water source areas, and the battle against pollution in agricultural production and rural areas. We will work to make sure that the results of pollution control can really deliver and benefit the people," says Li Ganjie.