Highlights of the CPPCC National Committee news conference

Challenges remain as fight against pollution carries on

By ZOU SHUO

China will continue its fight against pollution with no slack as it still faces many challenges in the sector, a spokesman for the national political advisory body said Saturday.

Curbing pollution is not contradictory to achieving economic development, and in fact a better environment is conducive for industrial upgrading and achieving high-quality growth, Guo Weimin, spokesman for the second session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said at a press conference.

China has made great achievements in recent years in fighting pollution and the public is seeing more days with blues skies, yet smoggy days sometimes return.

In 2018, the average concentration of PM2.5 - particulate matter 2.5 microns or less in diameter that can be dangerous to humans - in 338 cities across the country was reduced by 9.3 percent from 2017 levels, down to 39 micrograms per cubic meter, he said, adding that achievements also have been made in improving water and soil quality.

The government will carry out more inspections and avoid a "one-size-fits-all" method in curtailing the output of polluting industries, he added.