Shanxi province has made significant improvements to its ecological environment in 2026, the first year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, by advancing pollution management, ecological protection, and green transformation, marking a promising start toward building a beautiful Shanxi.

From January to September, the province recorded 77.5 percent of days with good air quality, up 3.2 percentage points year-on-year. Shanxi has enhanced joint prevention and control of air pollution in the Fenhe Valley, managed dust pollution, and reduced summer ozone peaks, steadily improving air quality.

During the same period, 86.5 percent of water bodies were classified as Category I-III, up 3.4 percentage points year-on-year. The main stream of the Yellow River (Shanxi section) consistently maintained Category II water quality. 

Through the "Clear Water into the Yellow River" ecological protection project, Shanxi has strengthened the management and protection of key tributaries and local water bodies. Enhanced supervision of wastewater treatment facilities in 91 provincial-level industrial parks has preserved the excellent water quality at river entry points.

Furthermore, Shanxi is advancing its carbon peaking initiatives by managing quota trading and compliance in the national carbon market. The province promotes public involvement in carbon reduction through the "Carbon Inclusive" mechanism and top 10 national public participation cases, encouraging residents to adopt low-carbon lifestyles.

Shanxi will further cement this year's ecological achievements by deepening pollution prevention, watershed ecological restoration, and innovative synergy in waste-resource utilization and pollution-carbon reduction. Efforts will also focus on optimizing the ecological sector's business environment, enhancing Shanxi's green reputation.