China has phased out 250,000 tonnes of ozone depleting substances (ODS) in the past five years, accounting for over a half of the total amount phased out by all developing countries, the Ministry of Environmental Protection(MEP) said Friday.

On Friday, a meeting commemorating this year's International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer on Sept. 16 was held in Beijing by the ministry, the United Nations environment and development programs.

During the meeting, MEP vice minister Zhao Yingmin said more than one million tonnes of ODS had been phased out globally.

China will encourage and support research into alternative technological substitutes for ODS, he said.