Xi highlights local role in protecting environment

The president instructed the government to maintain its momentum in fighting pollution, saying companies that rampantly discharge pollutants must be punished.

Xi also urged continuous effort in fighting air pollution in cities, speeding up the building of sewage facilities in industrial parks, improving living conditions in rural areas and protecting the big lakes of Inner Mongolia.

Noting that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, he called the tasks of maintaining economic development and social stability arduous.