China is making significant progress in cleaning up its environment, according to a new report presented to lawmakers on Sunday. The country saw improvements across air, water, and soil quality in 2024, bringing it closer to its ambitious 2025 environmental goals.
Cleaner Air and Fewer Polluted Days
In 2024, the proportion of days with good air quality in China reached 87.2%, an increase of 1.7 percentage points from the previous year. Meanwhile, heavily polluted days dropped to just 0.9%, down 0.7 percentage points, according to Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu.
Improved Water and Soil Quality
Surface water quality continued to improve, while groundwater and seawater remained stable, reflecting the country’s efforts to protect its water resources. Progress was also made in curbing soil pollution, with heavy metal levels at key monitoring sites showing a declining trend.
Surpassing Environmental Targets
Minister Huang announced that all environmental quality improvement targets for 2024 were met, exceeding the planned progress outlined in China’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025). These achievements demonstrate the nation’s dedication to environmental protection and sustainable development.
Looking Ahead to 2025
With 2025 marking the final year of the current Five-Year Plan, China aims to fully achieve its environmental goals. This includes further reducing PM2.5 levels—a harmful particulate matter—and increasing the proportion of days with good air quality across the country.
China’s commitment to improving its ecological environment not only benefits its own citizens but also contributes to global efforts against climate change and environmental degradation.
