NANNING, April 21 -- China faces severe environmental tasks but there are opportunities for companies to become more sustainable in the way they operate, delegates at a summit on "green business" said on Monday.

"China offers great potential for companies in environment control," said Zhao Lijun, chairman of Poten Environment Group Co. Ltd., a water treatment company.

He made the remarks at the ongoing 2014 China Green Companies Summit in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, themed "An era of transformation: reality and aspirations".

Sustainable business, or "green business", refers to a company that has little negative impact on the environment.

While cities nationwide try to control smog, consecutive water and soil incidents have led to public concerns over pollution in tap water, underground water and soil.

Excessive levels of benzene in tap water, ten times higher than national standards, were reported in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province, on April 11.

The city government warned citizens not to drink tap water for 24 hours.Investigators later found crude oil in soil along a duct between two water plants.

The country has been late in combating and curbing pollution, said Zhao.

At the annual session of the National People's Congress in March, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang "declared war" against pollution and pledged to fight it with the same determination the country battled poverty.

China's environmental protection industry is still at the early-development stage. The country might introduce specific documents on third party participation in pollution reduction this year, said Luo Jianhua, secretary general of the China Environment Chamber of Commerce.

Social capital is encouraged to invest in the environmental protection market and promote third party participation in pollution reduction. Such documents could help environmental companies to grow bigger, he said.

In 2009, Coca Cola introduced its "plantbottle", made from renewable natural plant material. In April 2013, it was introduced to the Chinese market. The soft drink giant is committed to replacing its traditional plastic package bottle.

"Technological innovation is providing the company business opportunities in tackling the pollution issue," said Bai Changbo, vice president of Coca Cola Greater China.

"Technological innovation is the path, and public participation is needed for sustainable development," said Zhao.

In its 12th Five-year Plan period (2011-2015), China is aiming to boost industrial transformation and upgrade a number of key industries, including iron and steel, non-ferrous metals and building materials.

The country is expected to complete an amendment to the environmental protection law this year, and roll out other related industrial and financial policies for the environmental protection industry.