The State Council, China's cabinet, on Friday outlined ten measures for curbing the air pollution that is plaguing the country, vowing "tough measures for tough tasks."

The government should incorporate optimizing the country's economic structure and intensifying innovation into its environmental protection efforts, according to a statement released after an executive meeting of the State Council that was presided over by Premier Li Keqiang.

China will strictly control high energy-consuming and polluting industries, adjust its energy structure and enhance control of PM2.5, airborne particles measuring less than 2.5 microns in diameter that can pose health risks, in populated regions and metropolises, it said.

During periods of heavy pollution, local governments should enact emergency management response measures, such as implementing traffic restrictions or instituting emissions limits for polluting industries, according to the statement.