China's Environmental Progress Amid Economic Recovery Challenges

Despite facing difficulties related to environmental protection during its economic recovery efforts, China has made notable strides over the last year, according to a statement from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. In 2024, data revealed an average PM2.5 density of 29.3 micrograms per cubic meter across 339 major cities in China, reflecting a 2.7 percent decline compared to the previous year. This measurement indicates that the air pollution levels, which pose a risk to lung health, have consistently remained below the interim national standard of 35 mcg/cubic meter for the past five years.

The ministry also highlighted that the proportion of days with "fairly good" air quality—ranked below 100 on the air quality index—increased to 87.2 percent last year, marking a 1.7 percentage point rise from the previous year. This achievement is attributed to various initiatives aimed at achieving cleaner air. In addition, approximately two million rural households in northern China transitioned away from coal as their heating source last year. More than 80 percent of the nation's crude steel production capacity has either undergone comprehensive ultra-low emission transformations or been upgraded in key segments of their production processes.

The report noted significant advancements in the quality of China's surface water, with 90.4 percent categorized as fairly good quality last year, a 1 percentage point increase from 2023. This was the first time that the proportion of surface water with fairly good quality surpassed 90 percent. China employs a five-tier system for assessing surface water quality, with Grade I representing the highest standard. The ministry reported that black and odorous water bodies have been nearly eliminated in urban areas of cities at or above the prefecture level, and 80 percent of heavily polluted water bodies in the nation’s county seats have been treated.

The ministry committed to implementing additional measures under its "Beautiful China" initiative, with 2025 focusing on advancing reforms aimed at realizing an ecological civilization—a concept championed by President Xi Jinping that emphasizes a harmonious balance between human development and nature. Furthermore, the ministry plans to lead technological advancements in environmental protection and strengthen the country’s environmental monitoring framework.