QUALITY DEVELOPMENT

Some have argued the smog problem is simply a reflection of China's current economic development model.

The conference statement emphasizes quality development in urbanization and stresses the importance of green and low-carbon development in future urbanization.

The statement shines a spotlight on the "extensive, unsustainable and unscientific use of resources" revealed by the smog, according to Wu Bihu, director of the Center for Recreation and Tourism Research at Peking University.

"Smog suggests a dead end for the traditional urbanization and development model," Wu said, adding that "we have to fundamentally change the economic structure and prompt the development of the service industry."

Promotion of urbanization through the development of the service industry has not been widely accepted, posing a challenge for all of us, Wu added.