This aerial photo taken on April 13, 2023 shows the Yucun Village in Anji County of Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang province. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

China has made strides in environmental protection over the years, but challenges remain, a senior environmental official said at a conference on Sunday.

Zhai Qing, vice-minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, said over the years, the country has maintained an average annual economic growth rate of over 6 percent with a modest 3 percent increase in energy consumption.

These achievements have garnered widespread recognition and praise from the international community. However, it is also vital to acknowledge that structural, fundamental

The average concentration of PM2.5, fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller in cities at or above the prefecture level has reached a historic low of 29 micrograms per cubic meter and the number of days with heavy pollution has decreased by 93 percent compared with 2013, he said.

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China's water quality management has also seen significant progress. The trunk streams of the Yangtze and Yellow rivers have achieved Grade II level, the second-highest rating of water quality.

Zhai made the remarks at an academic annual conference held by the ministry's Policy Research Center of Environment and Economy.

These achievements have garnered widespread recognition and praise from the international community. However, it is also vital to acknowledge that structural, fundamental and ongoing pressures on China's environment still persist, he said.

Despite progress made, by the end of 2022, about one-third of cities in the country still did not meet air quality standards.

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Rural environmental issues have not received sufficient attention. Issues such as noise pollution, cooking fumes and unpleasant odors still affect people's well-being, he added.