"Top priority in combating air pollution should be to given to developing clean energy, such as natural gases, nuclear power, and renewables, while at the same time curbing coal consumption," He said.

China's coal consumption stood at 3.61 billion tons in 2013, accounting for 96.3 percent of the country's overall energy consumption of 3.75 billion tons in terms of standard coal in the same period, according to the National Bureau of Statistics and China National Coal Association.

"Coal remains the major source in the current energy consumption structure, and will continue so in the foreseeable future. That is a fact we are unable to change in a short term," said Cao Xianghong, a CPPCC member and director of the National Petroleum Products and Lubricants Standardization Technical Committee.

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"As much as we have to develop alternative energy, we need to upgrade our technology at the same time in an effort to cut down harmful emissions from burning coal," Cao said.

He told China Daily that several thermal power plants in China have been successful in using clean-coal technologies, such as denitration and desulfuration, and then recycling these chemicals by gasifying coal before burning it.

"If a company doesn't contribute to smog by burning coal, there is no reason to cut its coal consumption or shut it down," Cao said. "Somehow it's all about science and technology."

"Technological innovation is vital to energy conservation and environmental protection," said Chen Xiaoya, vice-minister of the Science and Technology. "It is the lifeline of a company during its transformation and development."

Gan Yong, deputy head of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said companies should strictly follow the national standard in environmental protection, or should be punished accordingly.

"The punishment for those companies that pollute the environment is far from enough," Wang Xiaokang said. "That's a major reason why companies are making light of environmental laws and regulations."

When it comes to reducing automobile emissions, which account for around 20 percent of smog, Cao Xianghong said the best way is to fix traffic congestion, upgrade auto fuel standard, ban cars that use substandard fuel and encourage hybrid automobiles.

The Chinese government has been pushing forward the nationwide use of the National V standard for automobile gasoline and diesel.

"As much as we are counting on the government and companies to reduce pollution, we as individuals are also obligated to make our due contributions to improve the air quality. For instance, we should use less electricity, avoid driving high-emission cars, or choose green transportation, because everyone can be held partially accountable for the smog," Cao added.

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