Nation ratchets up anti-pollution effort

Environmental protection is important to public health and economic development, premier says

China will intensify its efforts to reduce pollution, Premier Li Keqiang said in his annual Government Work Report on Saturday, citing as an example ambitious targets in fighting smog that will increase the number of days with good air quality.

"Pollution control and environmental protection are important to people's health and the sustainable development of the nation. Sowemust work hard to move forward," he said.