Departments and ministries under the State Council, China's Cabinet, have responded to a series of public concerns in the past week, including air pollution, economic operations in 2016 and occupational qualification licensing.

Minister of Environmental Protection Chen Jining responded to the air quality issue at a news conference on Jan 6, after wide public concern over air pollution control and management.

In recent days a majority of regions, especially in North China, have suffered from serious air pollution.