Premier says China to declare war on pollution

BEIJING — China is to “declare war” on pollution, Premier Li Keqiang said Wednesday at the opening of the annual meeting of parliament, with the government unveiling detailed measures to tackle what has become a hot-button social issue.

It is not uncommon for air pollution in parts of China to breach levels considered by some experts to be hazardous. That has drawn much public ire and is a worry for the government, which wants to avoid any discontent that might compromise stability.

“We will resolutely declare war against pollution as we declared war against poverty,” Li told the almost 3,000 delegates to the country’s largely rubberstamp legislature in a wide-ranging address carried live on state television.

Curbing pollution has become a key part of efforts to upgrade the economy, shift the focus away from heavy industry and tackle the perennial problem of overcapacity, with Li describing smog as “nature’s red light warning against inefficient and blind development.”

Li said efforts would focus first on reducing hazardous particulate matter and would also be aimed at eliminating outdated energy producers and industrial plants, the source of much air pollution.

The premier also said Beijing aims to grow the world’s second-largest economy by 7.5 percent this year, the same as last year’s target. Analysts have said maintaining the target after years of breakneck expansion signals that Beijing will remain focused on reforms and rebalancing the economy.