China's Environmental Protection Minister Chen Jining listens to a question at a press conference on the sidelines of the ongoing annual session of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, in Beijing, March 7, 2015. [Photo by Wang Jing/chinadaily.com.cn]

Developed countries should honor their commitments and shoulder their responsibilities under the Convention to do more in support of developing countries in terms of finance, technology and capability building, he said.

Legal construction of PX projects 'should' continue

Chen Jining said the construction of city garbage incinerators and PX (paraxylene) projects should continue, but on the conditions that certain requirements are met, in response to a reporter on the protests against the construction of PX factories or garbage incinerators.

"PX products are important industrial materials while garbage incinerators are important part of modern city's infrastructure, so we should support those projects," said Chen, adding construction sites must be scientifically decided and they must pass environmental impact assessment.

After construction, such projects should be under strict regulation so that the public can be assured, added Chen.

The construction of PX projects and garbage incinerators, if poorly handled, can lead to political problems, said Chen, adding such "not-in-my-backyard" situations also happened in other countries.

Chen urged local governments to better handling information disclosure work on the construction and said factories should work together with local communities on defusing such misunderstandings instead of hiding behind the government.

China vows active Int'l role in pollution fight

China pledged to actively cooperate with other nations and International organizations in its battle against pollution, said Environmental Protection Minister Chen Jining.

He said that as a responsible member of the international community, China will enhance its cooperation with others to push forward the smog-choked nation's energy conservation and pollution cut.

Polluting plants 'not' to be located to west regions

Chen Jining pledged not to relocate its polluting plants in the coastal areas to the vast central and western regions in the country's industry upgrade.

As the world's second largest economy is gearing up for a slower but more self-sustaining growth, observers have voiced their concerns that as China's coastal regions turn against pollution, low-end manufacturers and plants may be relocated to central and western regions that are economically lagging behind the booming east and desperate for development.