China's top legislative and political advisory body started its annual sessions, kicking off an important political season that will highlight new missions to achieve the nation's goal to become a "great modern socialist country".

Beefing up environmental protection and promoting a green Belt and Road were high on the agenda for Saturday's news conference, held by Minister of Ecological Environment Li Ganjie on the sidelines of the 13th National People's Congress.

Let's take a look at what overseas media outlets said.

The new targets for concentrations of small, breathable particles known as PM2.5 will be lower than those in the country's current five-year plan that was due to end in 2020, Environment Minister Li Ganjie said at a briefing on the sidelines of the country's annual parliament on Saturday.

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By the end of 2017, the country had already cut PM2.5 concentrations by around 15.8 percent, not far from the target of reducing average levels for cities by 18 percent by 2020.

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His comments come after the government announced earlier in the week that the 10-year old MEP will be transformed into a more powerful Ministry of Ecological Environment, absorbing duties overseeing river, marine and soil pollution as well as climate change held by other ministries and departments.

China will set stricter targets against air pollution - Reuters