BEIJING, Oct. 24 (INP): Minister of Environmental Protection Li Ganjie announced that fighting out pollution will be China’s number one priority for providing a healthy life to its people. Li made the announcement at a news conference on the sidelines of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). China has decided to link pollution stride to economic progress. Measures to fight pollution in China have made transformational and systemic progress during the recent years, he said.. He drew attention to past experiences that show a positive correlation between environmental protection and economic development. He noted China’s unemployment rate has dropped to its lowest level in recent years, citing this as evidence that the policies on the environment have had no negative overall effect on jobs. "We have emphasized on both the immediate result and the long-term effect, while taking the right approach on moving forward the campaign of environmental protection," Li said. The minister also reiterated his opposition to the one-size-fits-all approach. On one hand, China has adopted zero-tolerance attitude towards companies that have violated laws and regulations, and on the other hand, it has taken a classified guidance approach for different industries and handled relevant issues on a case-by-case basis, he said. Decades of growth have left the country with problems such as smog and contaminated soil, but Li said there had been historic progress in environmental protection since the 18th CPC National Congress as the country pursues a green development strategy. Here are some examples given by the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP). • In general, water quality for mainstreams of major waters and lakes has steadily improved. • Forest coverage rate is up to 22 percent from 16.6 percent in the century. • Around 2,750 nature reserves cover 14.9 percent of the national land, surpassing the global average. • Coal-fired boilers with an installed capacity of 570 million kilowatts have been upgraded. • More than 18 million yellow-labeled vehicles (gasoline- and diesel-fueled vehicles that fail to meet the national emission standards) and old vehicles have been phased out. • Comprehensive environmental improvement projects have been carried out in more than 11,000 villages, benefiting 190 million villagers. • The Central Leading Group for Comprehensively Deepening Reform has approved over 40 specific reform plans for environmental protection. • A number of important laws have been promulgated and amended, including Environmental Protection Law. Environmental inspection is a major reform measure initiated and promoted by General Secretary Xi Jinping, said Li, noting that the four rounds of inspections have taken place in 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions. So far, nearly 15,000 officials have been disciplined, according to figures released by the ministry. Central environmental inspections were launched in July 2016, giving environmental officials more power to hold officials accountable for environmental problems. Inspectors have been dispatched by the MEP and also include the Communist Party's anti-graft watchdog and personnel department. Central inspectors are seen as the latest weapon in China's fight against soil, air and water pollution, he added. INP/J/AH