China has achieved both economic growth and improved air quality during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

With GDP expanding by 30 percent, China saw its national average density of PM2.5 particulate matter fall by 20 percent over the past five years, said Li Tianwei, head of the ministry's department of atmospheric environment, at a news conference on Friday.

During this period, the number of cities meeting national air quality standards increased from 206 to 246, a 20 percent rise, he revealed.

Under the previous secondary standards introduced in 2012, the annual average concentration limit for PM2.5 was 35 micrograms per cubic meter. The ministry has implemented upgraded standards for major air pollutants starting March 1. Under the new framework, a transitional annual limit of 30 mcg/cubic m will be applied for PM2.5 from March 1 until 2030, before it is further reduced to 25 mcg/cubic m.

Li noted that among the 29 cities currently exceeding 1 trillion yuan ($145.8 billion) in GDP, the average PM2.5 concentration stands at 27.8 mcg/cubic m, outperforming the national average.

"These cities all recorded significant improvements in air quality during the 14th Five-Year Plan period," he emphasized. "Their tangible results demonstrate that economic growth and environmental protection can advance hand in hand."

Li highlighted the remarkable progress in air pollution control in Beijing. After 12 consecutive years of efforts, the capital's average PM2.5 density dropped from 89.5 mcg/cubic m in 2013 to 58 mcg/cubic m in 2017, and further to 27 mcg/cubic m in 2025.

Beijing's success "serves as a flagship achievement in China's air pollution control efforts," he said.