PROGRESS MADE

Although conditions remain grim, the situation improved last year with more acknowledgement and focus on the problems brought by decades of rapid growth.

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, Minister of Environmental Protection Zhou Shengxian said emissions of major pollutants have dropped in the past year. For example, chemical oxygen demand (COD) emissions reduced by 2.9 percent, while emissions of sulfur dioxide dropped by 3.5 percent, but compared to 2012, the percentage of class V water quality in the 10 major river basins dropped by only 1.2 percentage points.

As for air quality in cities, a five-year action plan in 2013 put forward 35 integrated measures. The plan stipulated cuts in coal use and the density of inhalable particulate matter, as well as the closure of polluting enterprises. Three metropolitan areas have regulations for addressing air pollution and joint mechanisms have been established.

The environment watchdog has improved supervision in rural areas, especially in groundwater restoration.

HOW TO MAKE BIGGER CHANGEs?

A better legal system, stricter supervision and focus on environmental protection, even if economic growth will be affected in the short term, have been promised.

The top legislature in April approved the revised law on environmental protection, which stipulates that environmental protection is a basic policy of the country, and prioritizes protection over economic development.

Zhou Shengxian wants to improve the legal system to establish more strict supervision of environment issues, and address pollution of water, air and soil through legal means.

Li Ganjie told the press conference that the ministry sees water, air and soil pollution as its major tasks for the coming years, adding that action plans will address water and soil pollution as soon as possible.Better handling of interplay between economic development and environmental protection, are also needed. Li believes the two are not contradictory, as long as an environmentally friendly outlook is held.

A pleasing environment and ecosystem are quality assets of a place that can help attract advanced production factors, especially in high-tech industries, Li said.

Although economic development and GDP growth may be affected by stricter environmental protection in the short term, it is conducive to the quality and sustainable economic and social development in the long term, he added.