A new fund will be set up to bring together top scientists to tackle air pollution, Premier Li Keqiang announced Wednesday.

"Blue skies will not be, and should not be, a luxury," he told a news conference.

He added that China will take firm steps to address coal consumption, vehicle exhaust emissions and dust.

During the two sessions, which ended on Wednesday, scientists pointed out the authorities do not yet fully understand the causes of smog. The reasons behind the air pollution in large areas of northern China in winter, for example, are unique and need more research, they said.

The fund will allow experts to tackle smog more effectively, Li said.

In this year's Government Work Report, the premier laid out five key measures and promised to win the battle against smog. However, he added that it will be a long process.