China aims at 25% forest cover by 2020, to curb 'irrational development'

The country aims to reduce 2015 levels of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide by 15%

China aims to keep a quarter of its land off-limits for development by 2020 and increase forest coverage to more than 23 per cent of its total landmass, the country's cabinet said.

At least 25 per cent of China's land would be protected by the country's new "ecological red line" scheme by the end of this decade, The State Council said on Sunday.

China has published a slew of policy documents in recent months aimed at improving surveillance, strengthening law enforcement and raising industrial standards as it plans to extend its war on pollution until 2020.

It has already ordered provinces to draw