Nearly 100 journalists from the overseas and domestic media attended a press salon in Beijing on Wednesday under the theme of the Chinese Dream and ecological progress. The salon was held by the All-China Journalists' Association.

Wan Bentai, chief engineer of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, was invited to give a speech on efforts to improve the environment which he said is a long-term project and involves everyone.

China is still facing many problems, such as a shortage of resources and worsening environmental pollution, Wan said.

World Environment Day on June 5 shows the importance of the environment and that everyone has a responsibility to build a beautiful China.

"I am glad to see that the public awareness of environmental protection is rising," Wan said.