Environmental Minister Chen Jining revealed to the country's legislators on Monday that China's air quality has shown consistent improvements in 2014 and thus far in the first four months of this year.

According to Xinhua, Chen said that PM10 readings reduced by more than two percent in over 300 cities across the country last year. In the first four months of 2015, PM10 readings from these cities continued to drop by more than five percent.  Also, in 74 cities, PM2.5 readings reduced by 11 percent in 2014 and over 15 percent in the first four months of this year.

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Chen's revelation comes just a few weeks after a report warned that the level of PM2.5 in the atmosphere in China needs to be reduced by about 20 to 30 percent in order to stabilize the country's mortality rate.

Environmental pollution - particularly of air and water - is a major problem in China. Besides dealing with harmful smog in the air, many Chinese cities are also experiencing water shortages. Authorities have taken a direct approach to combat pollution by developing regulations to control the activities of individuals and companies in sectors that contribute To the country's air pollution. Among other things, authorities have sought to promote 'green' renewable energy and reduce the country's use of coal, regulate emissions in industries as well as in the shipping sector and level greater punishments on individuals and companies responsible for polluting the atmosphere.  

According to Chen, strict implementation of the country's environmental policies has contributed to the successful reduction of pollutants in the atmosphere. He revealed that last year, more than 8,000 suspects were apprehended by the police for environment-related crimes.

Chen explained that support and coordination between government agencies and the adoption of the latest technology have also contributed to the reduction of pollutants in the atmosphere. He added that the country will impose stricter regulations on the coal industry, improve technological research as well as the measurement of pollutants in the air and impose heavier penalties on wrongdoers.

TagsChina Air Pollution, China PM10 and PM2.5 Readings, china air quality