Ministry praises air quality improvements

Despite its GDP increasing by 69 percent over the past 10 years, China saw its average density of PM2.5 particulate matter decrease by 57 percent during that time, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

The proportion of days with heavy air pollution dropped by 92 percent during the period, said Liu Bingjiang, head of air quality management at the ministry in a news conference on Tuesday.

In particular, the official highlighted the significant improvement in the air quality in Beijing.

In 2013, the annual average PM2.5 concentration in the capital stood at 89.5 micrograms per cubic meter, he said. Last year, the density fell to 30 mcg per cu m.

The number of days with heavy air pollution each year fell from 58 to only three during the 10-year period, he added.

Liu credited the country's consistent efforts to optimize the energy, industry and transportation sectors with the achievements.

He said the country has made great efforts to shut down outdated production facilities and curb excess production in the steel, coal, cement and glass sectors.

For example, roughly 300 million metric tons of excess materials have been eliminated in the steel industry, he said.

houliqiang@chinadaily.com.cn