By Li Hongmei

China plans to invest 1.7 trillion yuan (US$277 billion) to combat air pollution over the next five years, state media said on Thursday, underscoring the government's concerns about the deteriorating environment.

The money is to be spent primarily in regions that have heavy air pollution and high levels of PM 2.5, Wang Jinnan, vice-president of the Chinese Academy for Environmental Planning, was quoted as saying. Wang helped draft the plan.

Tiny floating particles, measuring 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter, are especially hazardous because they can settle in the lungs and cause respiratory problems and other illnesses.

The new plan specifically targets northern China, particularly Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province, where air pollution is especially serious. The government plans to reduce air emissions by 25 percent by 2017 compared with 2012 levels in those areas.

"The thick smog and haze that covered large areas of the country in January has focused public attention on this issue," said Zhao Hualin, a senior official at the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
 
China's State Council, its cabinet, approved the plan in June, Zhao said.

The government also plans to issue two more plans to address water pollution and improvements to the rural environment over the next five years.