Li Xiaohua (right), deputy director of Beijing Environment Protection Bureau, takes part in the roundtable discussion. HOU LIQIANG / CHINA DAILY

There are still "great challenges for the further improvement of air quality in Beijing," she said, "as people have higher expectations of environmental quality and the central government has raised clear targets for the capital's environmental and ecological quality."

"We are confident that we will be able to have better air quality and better cities through our sustained efforts," Li said. "We are always open for cooperation and sharing our experience and lessons with cities around the world through the UNEP platform."

He Kebin, dean of environmental studies at Tsinghua University, said: "We still have some way to go before achieving the World Health Organization air quality standards. Nevertheless, we are confident that we are on the right path."

He said Beijing will be able to meet air quality Grade 1 by WHO guidelines for China in 10 to 15 years.

He said the central government has asked provincial governors to sign a commitment, which has been published. Rankings will be issued for air quality and governors with bad rankings will be criticized.

"They will feel very strong pressure from that," He said.

houliqiang@chinadaily.com.cn