DHAKA: China is falling short of its people’s expectations in battling smog, Premier Li Keqiang said on Sunday, one week after the authorities blocked a scathing documentary on the country’s air pollution problem.

Li, who is second only to president Xi Jinping in the Communist hierarchy, made the comments at his once-a-year meeting with journalists at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.

Reporters attending the annual event are typically required to submit their questions in advance.

‘The Chinese government is determined to tackle smog and pollution,’ Li said, reports The Straits Times.

‘The progress we have made still falls short of the expectations of our people.’

One year ago, Li pledged that China would declare ‘war on pollution’, and the Premier said Sunday that Beijing is ‘determined to continue our efforts’.

‘We will continue to track down and pursue polluting companies,’ he said, adding that ‘environmental authorities must not suffer interference from industry, and should be brave enough to take on responsibility’.

BDST: 1202 HRS, MAR 15, 2015