China’s ecological progress is driving its high-quality development, according to Chinese Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu.
On Saturday, Minister Huang addressed reporters at the Ministers’ Corridor after the second plenary meeting of the third session of the 14th National People’s Congress in Beijing. He emphasized the crucial link between environmental protection and sustainable development.
“Without green and low-carbon development, there can be no high-quality development,” Huang stated, highlighting the country’s commitment to ecological advancement.
Over the past decade, China has witnessed significant improvements in its ecological environment. In 2024, the quality of the nation’s ecological environment continued to enhance, with 90.4% of surface-water bodies classified as having excellent water quality—surpassing the 90% mark for the first time.
To further these efforts, more than 44,000 environmental control units have been established across the country. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment has also introduced a series of policy measures to foster new quality productive forces in the ecological sector and support private enterprises with 22 targeted initiatives.
The development of China’s carbon market has been a focal point, resulting in an 8.78 percentage point reduction in carbon emission intensity within the coal-fired power generation sector. This achievement has enabled enterprises to save approximately 35 billion yuan (about $4.8 billion) in carbon reduction costs.
Additionally, the ministry has implemented regulations on pollutant discharge permit management and enhanced supervision to ensure enterprises meet emission standards.
“Our ecological progress is not just about environmental protection; it’s about driving high-quality development for our country,” Huang concluded.
