China will combine efforts in environmental protection and ecological restoration to ensure greener, more sustainable development, according to the country's newly approved guideline for environmental protection, part of the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20).

The guideline, released on Wednesday, was approved at the State Council's executive meeting, presided over by Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday.

"We are committed to a development pathway that delivers economic progress and environmental improvements side by side," Li said.