The Chinese government and environmental authorities must respect the people's passion for environmental protection and protect the people's right to know, said an article in the People's Daily. Excerpts:

After hazy and smoggy air shrouded North China in January, environmental authorities no longer shy away from the public's concerns over the air quality of Chinese cities as before and started providing timely air pollution information to the society.

People's expectations and longing for clean air should motivate the government to take all the necessary steps to improve air quality.

Many water pollution and soil pollution cases exposed recently also reflect the need to boost supervision and punishment for polluters. Environmental watchdogs should represent the interests of the people and not side with the polluters.

Water, air and soil pollution are a threat to public health. The government must change its mindset and pay more attention to environmental protection than economic growth. Economic growth is meaningless if clean air becomes a luxury.

The new leadership of the Communist Party of China urged the nation to pursue a beautiful dream for China. A beautiful China cannot be achieved without clean air, water and soils.