China's air and water quality in general continued to improve in the first quarter of 2024, said Pei Xiaofei, spokesman of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, at a press conference in Beijing on Sunday.
"Regarding the air quality, the average density of PM2.5 monitored in 339 Chinese cities at and above prefecture-level decreased by 6.5 percent year on year to 43 micrograms per cubic meter in the first quarter. The average density of PM10, ozone, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide all dropped from the same period of last year as well," he said.
"Days of good air quality in these cities accounted for 83.6 percent of the total, 3.5 percentage points higher year on year, while 2.4 percent of the days were marked with serious air pollution, a drop of 0.9 percentage point," he said.
The data also showed that in the January-March period, ground water quality of 89.9 percent of the 3,641 monitored sections was fairly good - at or above Grade III in the country's five-tier water quality system, which was 0.8 percentage point higher than a year ago.
The Yangtze River and the Yellow River, China's top two rivers, reported sound water quality in 2023, with their surface water quality at Grade II.
The water quality of China's major rivers, lakes and reservoirs generally improved in the first quarter. The water quality of 91.5 percent of monitored sections of the Yangtze River, the Yellow River and other major river basins was at or above Grade III, 1.2 percentage points higher year on year.
Of the 201 key lakes and reservoirs monitored, 82.1 percent reported water quality at or above Grade III, 1.1 percentage points higher than a year ago.
Air, water quality continue to improve in Q1
China-Cambodia ties received a boost from Chinese investments in Cambodia's nascent new energy industry on Thursday, as the Cambodian Confederation of Investors Association hosted an event in the capital city of Phnom Penh to welcome these new investments.
The association is expected to better coordinate among ministries and enterprises to start this fresh phase of new energy investment.
Addressing delegates at the ceremony, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasized his government's strong focus on foreign investments in Cambodia, especially in the private sector.
He said Cambodia and China are engaged in close economic cooperation and promised that the Cambodian government will try its best to create a better business environment and solve problems. In recent years, several Chinese companies in the new energy technology and electric vehicle (EV) sector – including the Huaneng Group, Great Wall, BYD and Midea – have started building infrastructure in Cambodia.
"China-Cambodia trade relations have prospered in recent years. We've chosen to invest in new energy projects in Cambodia, including factories and charging equipment. We believe the investments in industries in Cambodia will further improve China-Cambodia friendship," said He Dong, president of ZM Trucks China.
For Cambodia, Chinese investment in electric vehicles and renewable energy plants offers an opportunity to benefit from technology transfers and industrial upgrading.
It would also help Cambodian businesses, create employment opportunities and improve people's living conditions.
"We welcome the investment very much because it helps Cambodia's economic development. It creates more job opportunities for Cambodians and is also good for the environment," said Kun Thai, general chairman of Cambodia Confederation of Investors Association.
The association is working actively with the Chinese new energy sector – to get more companies into Cambodia, and a wave of investment that will usher in positive changes.
Cambodia welcomes more Chinese investment in new energy industry
