Tue Feb 25 06:36:58 UTC 2025: ## China Aims for Air Pollution Elimination by 2025
**Beijing, February 25, 2025** – China has set an ambitious goal to effectively eliminate severe air pollution by the end of 2025, according to a senior environment official. Li Tianwei, Director of the Department of Atmospheric Environment, announced plans to improve air quality forecasting, enhance coordinated management of PM2.5 and ozone pollution, and implement stricter emission standards.
While progress has been made, air pollution remains a significant issue in China, contributing to over 2 million deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This includes over 1 million deaths attributed to ambient air pollution and another million from household air pollution.
Despite this, Li reported significant improvements in 2024, with the average PM2.5 concentration in cities dropping to 29.3 micrograms per cubic metre – a 2.7% year-on-year decrease. The number of days with good air quality also increased to 87.2%.
To achieve its goal, China will implement new emission standards aligned with global best practices, increase the use of new energy vehicles and machinery, and promote the long-distance transportation of goods via rail and water. These efforts align with President Xi Jinping’s prioritization of environmental protection and green lifestyles. The ongoing battle for blue skies, Li emphasized, remains a top priority for the nation.
First Piper 