"This will be the first time in many years that we will see a drop in the overall volume in emissions of major pollutants."

China set targets of reducing emissions of sulphur dioxide and chemical oxygen, two of the main contributors to its status as one of the world's most polluted nations, by 10 percent between 2006 and 2010.

But last year discharges instead increased by 1.8 percent and 1.2 percent respectively over the previous year.

Sulphur dioxide is a product of burning fossil fuels and is the main cause of acid rain, while chemical oxygen demand measures chemicals like nitrogen and phosphorus that choke rivers and lakes by stripping the water of oxygen.

Although the reduction targets were missed last year, the trend was promising as emissions at least began to slow, and the five-year target could still be achieved, according to Zhang.

"Realising our goal of reducing pollution emissions by 10 percent should not be a problem," he said.

"This year our adjustments to industry are expanding and more environmental equipment is going into operation as our environmental protection capabilities are also becoming stronger."

One of the main areas of improvement has been in the coal industry, which generates about 70 percent of China's booming energy output.

In 2005, only 12 percent of China's coal fire electric plants were outfitted with sulphur-removing equipment, but that percentage increased to about 30 percent in 2006, Zhang said.

China also treated 57 percent of its urban waste water in 2006, up from 52 percent in 2005, he added.

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