The Shandong province has put great effort into improving the environment, and Shandong residents are finding that their living environment has greatly changed.

"The province's aim is to make the sky blue and the rivers healthy enough to raise edible fish," said Shandong Governor Jiang Daming.

By the end of 2010, all 59 rivers under the province's control were able to sustain fish.

The province jointly issued a protocol on environmental protection with China's Environmental Protection Ministry in June, 2011, that calls for Shandong to be a demonstration base for rehabilitating lakes and rivers.

The State Council listed Shandong at the top of eight provinces and cities that contributed the most to the country's work on cutting emissions in 2011.

Shandong is also moving to improve air quality. PM2.5 information will be monitored and published in 17 cities of Shandong Province, including Jinan, Qingdao, Zibo.

Monitoring PM2.5 should encourage governments at all levels and enterprises to intensify their pollution control.