The Chinese government will limit development projects in environmentally vulnerable areas in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and other regions, a senior official said Friday.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection is aware of the impact of mining on the environment of Inner Mongolia and attaches importance to the problem, Vice Minister of Environmental Protection Li Ganjie said at a press conference.

The ministry will assist local governments and environmental protection authorities in punishing enterprises who have breached environmental protection laws and regulations, the official added.