China aims to end severe air pollution by year-end

China is intensifying its battle against severe air pollution, aiming for significant improvements by the end of 2025, according to Li Tianwei, director of the Department of Atmospheric Environment.

The government plans to enhance air quality forecasting and early warning systems while focusing on managing harmful airborne particles, particularly PM2.5, and addressing ozone pollution.

"The battle for blue skies remains unchanged," said Li, according to a transcript on the Ministry of Ecology and Environment's website on Monday.

Desite some progress, air pollution continues to be a pressing issue, impacting both the economy and citizens' quality of life, as highlighted by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Air pollution is responsible for about two million deaths in China annually, the WHO said. Of those deaths, ambient air pollution caused more than one million deaths, while household air pollution from cooking with polluting fuels and technologies caused another million deaths, it said on its website.

The WHO considers PM2.5 concentrations above 50 microgrammes per cubic metre "severe" air pollution.

China's air quality improved significantly in 2024, said Li. The average concentration of PM2.5 in cities was 29.3 microgrammes per cubic metre, a year-on-year decrease of 2.7%.

The proportion of days with good air quality reached 87.2%, up by 1.7 percentage points year-on-year.

China must introduce new emission standards that align with global best practises, said Li, adding that the country will boost the share of new energy vehicles and machinery in airports, ports and logistics parks.

Authorities also plan to promote the long-distance transportation of bulk goods by rail and water, rather than by roads.

President Xi Jinping has said China prioritises environmental protection, promoting green lifestyles and that conservation of nature is an essential part of building a modern socialist country.