Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies are being widely used in China's environmental law enforcement, Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu said on Thursday in Beijing on the sidelines of the annual sessions of the National People's Congress.
"The key to environmental law enforcement is how to accurately identify problems. In recent years, we have integrated big data from routine supervision, mobile monitoring, and corporate electricity consumption, among other sources. By combining this with artificial intelligence technology, we can quickly screen and precisely locate potential issues. Providing these clues to law enforcement officers allows them to conduct targeted inspections, significantly reducing interference with normal business operations for enterprises and enhancing the efficiency of law enforcement," Huang said during a meeting with journalists.
Huang said AI-powered off-site inspections had improved the efficiency of environmental law enforcement in the country.
"Last year alone, we conducted 204,000 off-site inspections. Compared to the previous year, on-site inspections decreased by 40 percent, while the accuracy rate of identifying problems increased by 10 to 25 percentage points. We strive to ensure that law-abiding enterprises are not unduly disturbed while hanging the sword of justice over those that violate the law," Huang told reporters.
Huang said China had also developed many AI application scenarios for ecological and environmental supervision in recent years.
"For example, AI technology has been fully utilized for the screening of illegal hazardous waste dumping and for the supervision of vehicle emissions, particularly from heavy-duty diesel trucks, achieving excellent results," Huang said.
The 14th National People's Congress, China's national legislature, concluded its fourth session on Thursday.
AI technologies widely applied in China's environmental law enforcement: minister
People across Iran took to the streets on Friday to mark International Quds Day, an annual event expressing support for Palestinians and condemnation of Israeli actions.
Several high-ranking Iranian officials also took part in the rallies in Tehran, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Larijani, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei as well as cabinet ministers, such as Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.
The event, established by Iran in 1979, is observed on the final Friday of the fasting month of Ramadan. This year, it fell on March 13 and amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran.
In the capital, people marched from 10 different locations towards the iconic Enghelab Square in central Tehran, while waving Iran's flags and holding pictures of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei.
The marchers condemned the "crimes" committed by the United States and Israel, voiced their support for the Iranian armed forces, and pledged allegiance to the new supreme leader.
According to the official news agency IRNA, Tehran's central areas near the rally path came under U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in the early minutes of the gathering, killing at least one person. Addressing reporters after the strikes, Larijani said the attacks are "out of fear and desperation."
Araghchi said despite the attacks today, millions of people have taken part in the rallies across Iran, which shows "the Iranians' firm determination and will in supporting" the country.
On Feb 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East.
Iran's Assembly of Experts on Sunday announced the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran's new supreme leader.
Iranians hold mass rallies to mark Quds Day amid U.S.-Israeli attacks
