China.org.cn | August 16, 2024
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A decade ago, China declared war on air pollution, resulting in the most rapid air quality improvement globally. Has this progress now reached its limit? We recognize that the process of improving air quality through transformation is often a lengthy one. What challenges and persistent issues remain in air quality improvement? Does this suggest that the pace of air quality improvement could slow down or even reverse in the future? What key measures does the action plan outline to address these challenges? Thank you.
Liu Bingjiang:
Thank you for your good questions. The progress in air pollution control over the past 10 years is something everyone can perceive. In Beijing, PM2.5 levels dropped from 89.5 micrograms per cubic meter in 2013 to 30 micrograms per cubic meter last year. The number of heavy pollution days decreased from 58 to just two or three days annually. This represents a significant achievement that the public can readily appreciate. "Beijing Blue" has become the norm and has been recommended by the United Nations Environment Programme as the "Beijing Miracle" to countries worldwide. However, our country still has significant room for improvement. For instance, last year, the concentration of PM2.5 was 29 micrograms per cubic meter, five to six times higher than the World Health Organization's standard and two to four times that of developed countries. PM2.5 is among the most harmful pollutants to human health, and addressing this issue requires significant technological breakthroughs.
Our country is entering a critical period in air pollution control, a phase of advancing under heavy pressure and overcoming obstacles. The green transition requires sufficient time and can't be achieved overnight. Whether there will be stagnation or fluctuations in the coming years depends on various factors. For example, if we examine our first and second Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plans, what was the biggest opportunity from 2013 to 2020? During those eight years, our country's coal consumption steadily decreased year by year. By 2020, total coal consumption had decreased by about 5% compared with 2013. This reduction represented the most unprecedented opportunity for environmental improvement since our country began reform and opening up. As incremental increases in coal consumption diminished, we focused more on reducing emissions from existing sources, which naturally led to improved air quality. That particular opportunity seems to have waned, but another significant opportunity has emerged: the green and low-carbon transition in the transportation sector. This is reflected in the numerous quantifiable targets and key highlights in the latest action plan. PM2.5 pollution is now primarily driven by nitrogen oxides, a significant characteristic of this phase.
Additionally, various climatic factors have significantly influenced our country's air quality transformation. From 2013 to 2016, we experienced four consecutive El Nino years. From 2017 to 2019, it was a normal period, and from 2020 to 2022, during the pandemic, we experienced La Nina conditions. According to climate experts' predictions, our country is influenced by two cycles: a short cycle and a long cycle. The short cycle is defined by El Nino events, typically occurring every four to seven years. This year, we have entered another moderate to strong El Nino phase. On a larger scale, every 20 years, our country enters a period characterized by frequent and intense dust storms. From the early 1980s to 2003, there was one such 20-year period, and now we are in another. The prevalence of dust storms in the first half of this year has already become quite evident.
Third, our country is the world's largest manufacturer, with coal consumption, steel production, nonferrous metal production, crude oil processing capacity and electricity generation consistently ranking first globally. Our industrial structure remains dominated by heavy chemical industries. The energy structure still primarily relies on coal. Our transportation system continues to be centered on roads. These fundamental aspects have not undergone significant changes. In this context, you have observed some fluctuations in China's air quality this year. However, these fluctuations are normal and accurately reflect air pollution control's long-term and challenging nature. The battle for blue skies is both a tough and enduring struggle, requiring persistent and unwavering efforts.
Next, we will thoroughly implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the National Conference on Ecological and Environmental Protection. We will adhere to precise, scientific and law-based approaches to pollution control and fully implement all the measures outlined in this action plan. We are confident in our ability to continue improving air quality. Thank you.