China reports notable progress in ecological, environmental protection during 14th Five-Year Plan period

China has achieved a significant reduction in major pollutants through the implementation of 24,000 ecological and environmental treatment projects during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), according to the government.

Sun Shouliang, an official with the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, said at a press conference on Wednesday that the reduction of major pollutants -- including nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemical oxygen demand, and ammonia nitrogen -- was realized over the past five years through efforts to phase out outdated production capacities in certain industries and to enhance sewage treatment in both urban and rural areas.

Through efforts to phase out outdated production capacity during the period, China achieved reduction in nitrogen oxide and VOCs emissions by approximately 210,000 tonnes and 220,000 tonnes, respectively.

The country also pushed forward green transition in some industries, having completed ultra-low emission upgrades for 940 million tonnes of crude steel production capacity, 470 million tonnes of cement clinker capacity, 360 million tonnes of coking capacity, and 170 GW of coal-fired power units, according to ministry data.

Sun said that urban sewage treatment projects contributed to reducing chemical oxygen demand by about 3.2 million tonnes and ammonia nitrogen by 350,000 tonnes during the 2021-2025 period. The national rural domestic sewage treatment rate also rose to 55 percent by 2025, doubling the rate recorded at of the end of 2020.

Sun said that at present, the country's hazardous waste disposal capacity is about 220 million tonnes per year, a 60 percent increase compared to 2020.

During the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), Sun said the ministry will continue to plan and carry out a raft of high-standard flagship projects to further support ecological and environmental progress.