At a meeting of the Central Leading Group on Finance and Economic Affairs on Wednesday, President Xi Jinping pointed out the need to increase the use of clean energy for heating in the winter.

Xi pointed out increasing the ratio of clean energy in heating in the winter in the northern regions is a significant issue as it is related to the people's well-being, since the coal-fired heating supply in the winter is a significant source of air pollution.

He said promoting clean energy use for heating is crucial not only for promoting clean energy production, but also for reducing the number of smoggy days.

Air pollution has become a serious problem, especially in the northern regions. Recently more than 40 cities in the region suffered from serious haze, and several of them, including Beijing, had to restrict vehicle use, suspend schools and kindergartens and stop industrial production.

According to the statement issued after the meeting, enterprises should play the main role in this clean energy campaign, and the government should facilitate the expansion of clean energy by increasing the proportion of clean energy used to generate the heating supply in the northern regions.