Fujian retained its laurel as one of the highest-ranking provinces in China in terms of quality of air, water and general environment, local media reported Tuesday.

Fujian's air quality met national standards on 351 days of 2017. The average PM2.5 level was 27 micrograms per cubic meter, 42 percent lower than the average across China, Fujian Daily reported, citing statistics from local environmental authorities.

PM2.5 readings are a measure of the density of hazardous particulate in the air. The World Health Organization recommends an annual PM2.5 level of 10 micrograms per cubic meter.

In the region's 12 main rivers, more than 95 percent of the water reached Grade Grade III or higher, which means it was potable. China grades its water quality in six levels, from Grade I to Grade V, with Grade V being the lowest.

Fujian's forest coverage ratio of roughly 66 percent continued to lead among the country's provinces.

The great results achieved are inseparable from the efforts of local government.

Strictly adhering to the principle that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, Fujian keeps increasing its momentum focused on coordinated economic, social and environmental development.

Economic performance or GDP, the historical measure of government performance, has now become a thing of the past in China.

A total of 31 indicators of the national green development index system have been included in the government appraisal system used at all levels in the province.

Results of the review will be a key reference in the promotion of officials, and a basis of punishment for any wrongdoing.

The index covers 55 indicators, including energy consumption efficiency, carbon emissions, air quality, per-capita disposable income, and research and development spending, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

At the year-end of 2017, China unveiled its first regional green development index rankings, and Fujian ranked second among all provinces and regions.

Fujian also makes great efforts to combat pollution.

In the past year, Fujian fully promoted the "river chief" mechanism across the province, which sees officials at each level of government appointed to take charge of the water sources in their area.

So far, roughly 5,000 officials have been appointed as "river chiefs" responsible for water quality management.

In Anxi, a county-level city in Fujian, which is widely known for producing Tianguanyin, a variety of Oolong tea, a "mountain chief" policy, similar to that of "river chiefs", will be promoted from January after a pilot project in the county proved valid in tackling problems like water and soil erosion due to industrial pollution and excessive reclamation.

More than 120 clean energy projects were established in the province while 1,500 polluting factories were urged to relocate or phased out in 2017.

Fujian was officially designated as a national ecological conservation pilot zone in 2016, the first one in the country. (Source: China Daily)