Two sessions to chart path for year ahead

Environment improved

Last year, regarded as "Year One" for China to move toward carbon neutrality, witnessed the release of a top-level design document for peaking carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality and an action plan for peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030.

The country's progress in cutting carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP last year met the requirements listed in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), with PM2.5 density down 9.1 percent year-on-year and the share of days with good air quality rising to 87.5 percent.

The Yangtze River, China's longest river, also saw the water quality of its primary stream continue to improve.

In January, China rolled out a series of policies to protect the marine and rural environments and prevent soil and groundwater pollution.

The recent 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games were described as "truly exceptional" by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach. The event, attracting global attention, was not only a grand event of ice and snow sports but also a precious opportunity to present China's culture, which dates back over 5,000 years, to the world.

Chinese culture was integrated into every aspect of the Games, said Chen Ning, head of the culture and ceremonies department at the Games' organizing committee.

Through the Beijing Winter Olympics, China's commitment to building a community with a shared future for humanity struck a deeper chord with people worldwide.

"The opening and closing ceremonies presented a true, vivid, enthusiastic and culturally rich China to the world, which not only promoted world cultural exchanges but also brought new vitality to world culture," Chen said.