BEIJING — Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli on May 20 urged greater courage, stronger resolve and more powerful measures to deal with air and water pollution.

Zhang made the remarks at a meeting on coordinated pollution control in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei and peripheral regions.

Zhang said that control of air pollution in Beijing, Tianjin as well as Tangshan, Baoding and other Hebei cities should be a focus, noting that efforts in bulk coal control, management of key industries and supervision of motor vehicles and ships are also priorities for dealing with air pollution in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

He demanded proper responses to periods of heavy pollution.

The vice-premier also called for efforts to ensure the safety of drinking water and water pollution treatment in the region.