The State Council outlined 10 measures on Friday to curb air pollution that is plaguing the country, vowing "tough measures for tough tasks".

The government should incorporate optimizing the country's economic structure and intensifying innovation with environmental protection efforts, according to a statement released after an executive meeting of the State Council, presided over by Premier Li Keqiang.

Topping the 10 measures is a target to reduce pollution emissions per unit of GDP by at least 30 percent in heavy- polluting industries before the end of 2017.