China aims to eliminate severe air pollution this year
China aims to effectively eliminate severe air pollution by the end of 2025, a senior environment official said, as authorities ramp up efforts in pollution control and emissions reduction in the "battle for blue skies."
China will improve its air quality forecasting and early warning systems and enhance coordinated management of harmful airborne particles known as PM2.5, as well as ozone pollution, said Li Tianwei, Director of the Department of Atmospheric Environment.
"The battle for blue skies remains unchanged," Li said according to a transcript on the Ministry of Ecology and Environment's website on Monday.
Though some progress has been made, air pollution remains a major problem in China and affects economies and people's quality of life, said the World Health Organization (WHO).
Air pollution is responsible for about 2 million deaths in China annually, the WHO said. Of those deaths, ambient air pollution caused more than 1 million deaths, while household air pollution from cooking with polluting fuels and technologies caused another million deaths, it said on its website.
The WHO considers PM2.5 concentrations above 50 micrograms per cubic metre "severe" air pollution.
China's air quality improved significantly in 2024, Li said. The average concentration of PM2.5 in cities was 29.3 micrograms per cubic metre, a year-on-year decrease of 2.7%.
The proportion of days with good air quality reached 87.2%, up by 1.7 percentage points year-on-year.
China must introduce new emission standards that align with global best practises, Li said, adding that the country will boost the share of new energy vehicles and machinery in airports, ports and logistics parks.
Authorities also plan to promote the long-distance transportation of bulk goods by rail and water, rather than by roads.
President Xi Jinping has said China prioritises environmental protection, promoting green lifestyles and that conservation of nature is an essential part of building a modern socialist country.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
6 days ago
- Zawya
African Leaders, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and Partners Unite in Bold Drive to Fight Cholera
In a historic demonstration of political resolve and continental unity, twenty African Union (AU) Member States affected by cholera convened on 4 June 2025 for a high-level virtual meeting, following a call by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and under the leadership of H.E. Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia and AU Champion on Cholera. The meeting brought together ten Heads of State and Vice-Presidents—representing Angola, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe—alongside Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers of Health, Finance, and Water and Sanitation. Global health partners, including WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, the Global Fund, and others, also participated to forge a united front in the fight against cholera. As of May 2025, Africa has reported approximately 130,000 cholera cases and 2,700 deaths, representing 60% of global reported cases and an alarming 93.5% of cholera-related deaths. Angola, the DRC, Sudan, and South Sudan remain among the most severely affected. In his opening address, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, called for bold leadership and systemic change: 'The people of Africa are watching. They expect bold, coordinated, and unwavering leadership that puts their health and dignity first. This crisis demands action at the highest political level. Only through the direct engagement of our Heads of State can we drive the elimination of cholera by 2030. This requires a continental shift—strong national leadership, domestic investment, integrated national actions, and regional coordination. We must also break the cycle of dependency by accelerating vaccine manufacturing and ensuring equitable access to life-saving tools.' H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of Angola and Chairperson of the African Union, underscored the need for transformative investments: 'To tackle this disease, we must invest robustly in water, sanitation, and health systems. This is our moment to turn historic challenges into real opportunities for economic and social development.' Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, emphasized the systemic drivers of the crisis—limited WASH infrastructure, insecurity, weak coordination, and vaccine shortages: 'Africa needs 54 million doses of oral cholera vaccine annually but receives barely half. This gap is unacceptable. Urgent action is needed to scale up local production and secure supply.' Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, welcomed the leadership shown: 'I commend the Heads of State for their vision and commitment. WHO will intensify its support to affected countries through this Call to Action.' African leaders committed to operationalizing the Continental Incident Management Support Team (IMST), building on the successful mpox response, to reinforce cross-border surveillance. At the national level, they pledged to establish Presidential Task Forces on Cholera to strengthen multisectoral coordination, mobilize domestic resources, and enforce accountability frameworks. They further emphasized scaling up local vaccine manufacturing, expanding WASH infrastructure, and deepening partnerships with the private sector. Etleva Kadili, UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, reminded leaders that children are most affected: 'Children bear the brunt of this crisis. Bold action and unwavering political will are urgently needed.' Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, reported significant improvements in vaccine availability—from 2 million doses in 2013 to over 21 million in 2025—and the delivery of 1.9 million rapid diagnostic kits to support outbreak detection. She reaffirmed Gavi's commitment to supporting local manufacturing in Africa through the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) and urged global support for Gavi's upcoming replenishment. In closing, H.E. Hakainde Hichilema reaffirmed his commitment to report back to the AU Assembly on progress: 'We have issued a clear Call to Action. Now we must deliver—through scaled-up domestic investments, strengthened cross-border coordination, and community-driven responses. Africa needs one continental IMST, one community-centered plan, and one accountability framework.' The meeting marks a turning point in Africa's response to cholera—anchored in high-level political ownership, multisectoral collaboration, and continental solidarity. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
Dubai Eye
03-06-2025
- Dubai Eye
UAE- WHO initiative aims to combat malnutrition on Yemen's Socotra Island
The UAE's Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation and the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday launched an initiative aimed at combatting malnutrition among women and children on Yemen's Socotra Island. Global reports say that Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rate in the island has reached 10.9 per cent, and the Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) rate is 1.6 per cent among children under five. Internationally, GAM rates between 10 per cent and 14 per cent are classified as serious, while SAM rates above 1 per cent are considered alarming. Mohamed Haji Al Khouri, Director-General of the Foundation, stressed the UAE's humanitarian and global responsibility to develop communities and enhance critical health services. 'This stems from the enduring humanitarian legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. We are determined to effectively address food and health challenges faced by women and children in Socotra, in collaboration with the WHO,' he said. Al Khouri explained that the Khalifa Foundation, an affiliate of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, would work with the WHO to develop appropriate solutions to nutritional and health challenges using a new survey based on current data. 'The joint initiative aims to reduce maternal and child mortality caused by malnutrition through a comprehensive plan of action spanning over two years. This will enhance maternal, infant, and child care services, and improve emergency preparedness and response to epidemics,' he added. Acting WHO Representative in Yemen Dr. Ferima Coulibaly-Zerbo said, 'This joint effort reflects our shared vision of building resilient health systems in Yemen. Together with the UAE and national authorities we are working to address urgent needs and lay the foundation for long-term health security on the Island. "Through this partnership, WHO and the UAE aim to build stronger, more responsive and more equitable health systems to serve the people of Socotra and contribute to a healthier, more resilient Yemen.' The initiative is part of joint aid activities between the UAE and WHO in Yemen aimed to provide urgent food relief and curb nutritional and health deterioration across various population groups. It will strengthen healthcare infrastructure in Socotra by training medical staff, supplying medications, and establishing emergency preparedness mechanisms. It also seeks to implement sustainable solutions for malnutrition, ensure food security, raise community awareness, and improve disease surveillance for more effective medical interventions based on ongoing assessments and studies.
Zawya
02-06-2025
- Zawya
World Health Day: Botswana renews commitment to ending preventable maternal deaths
As countries around the world observed World Health Day on April 7, 2025, Botswana used the moment to reflect on its maternal health journey and renew its commitment to ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths. The national commemoration, jointly hosted by WHO Botswana and the Ministry of Health, brought together government officials, health experts, development partners, and citizens under the theme 'Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures. Speaking at the event, maternal health consultant Dr. Morrison Sinvula issued a heartfelt call to action. 'When a mother is healthy, a nation prospers,' he said. 'Yet for too many women, the journey to motherhood remains fraught with danger.' Dr. Sinvula traced Botswana's progress over the decades. In 1980, the country's maternal mortality ratio (MMR) stood at 400 deaths per 100,000 live births. Targeted interventions, including free maternal services, expanded antenatal care, and emergency response systems, helped reduce that figure to 127 by 2015. However, progress stalled between 2016 and 2019, with the MMR plateauing around 144, and later surging to 200 during the COVID-19 pandemic. 'That means 128 mothers lost their lives due to pregnancy-related complications in just two years,' he noted solemnly. 'That's 128 families shattered; 128 dreams extinguished at the moment life was being given.' He identified postpartum hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, and delays in accessing care as leading causes of maternal deaths, most of them preventable. 'We have the knowledge, the resources, and the will. Now we must act.' WHO Botswana Officer-in-Charge, Dr. Juliet Bataringaya, echoed the urgency, calling on stakeholders to accelerate action. 'Every seven seconds, somewhere in the world, a mother or child dies a preventable death. These are not just statistics they are lives lost, families broken, futures denied.' She cited new WHO data showing that four out of five countries are on track to miss global maternal survival goals by 2030, with 65 countries including most in Africa off track on newborn death reduction targets. 'In the African region, 20 mothers and 100 newborns die every hour. We are facing a crisis that demands decisive action,' said Dr. Bataringaya. Despite notable improvements like better-trained health workers, stronger services, and digital innovations, she warned that underfunded systems, infrastructure gaps, and climate-related shocks are undermining progress. Moreover, she expressed concern about recent cutbacks in global health funding. 'Many life-saving programmes are being halted. Research focusing on pregnant and breastfeeding women is compromised, putting the most vulnerable at even greater risk.' Assistant Minister of Health, Hon. Lawrence Ookeditse, described maternal deaths as 'a reflection of misplaced priorities' and emphasized the need for a rights-based, justice-driven approach to healthcare. He shared a heartbreaking story of a young woman and her quadruplets lost during childbirth, an outcome he said must never be repeated. Hon. Ookeditse outlined four priority areas to turn the tide: strengthening antenatal and postnatal care, increasing skilled healthcare providers, ensuring regular check-ups for expectant mothers, and improving emergency care response. New mother Amantle Judith Mannathoko shared her own story at the commemoration, encouraging women to register for antenatal care early. 'It's important to act early to avoid complications like hypertension,' she advised. Having delivered twins via cesarean section for the second time, Mannathoko credited her safe delivery to strong family support and dedicated healthcare providers. She also called for more consistent availability of resources in hospitals and clinics. 'Safe delivery should be guaranteed for every mother, no matter where she lives.' World Health Day 2025 was not only a platform for dialogue but also a day of action. Activities like aerobics sessions and the high-spirited World Health Day Run were held to raise awareness. The run was hosted by Fearless Fitness Club, in partnership with WHO Botswana and the Ministry of Health, and drew a large turnout from citizens, civil society, and fitness groups, all showing unity and commitment to saving mothers and babies. WHO Botswana Officer-in-Charge, Dr. Juliet Bataringaya, joined the run as the Chief Walker, symbolizing WHO's solidarity with the national efforts to improve maternal and newborn health. As Botswana strives to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of fewer than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030, the message from World Health Day was clear: maternal health is not a privilege, it's a right. And achieving it will take political will, partnership, and people power. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO), Botswana.
