Chinese authorities released guidelines aimed at supporting private enterprises related to energy saving and environmental protection, as part of efforts to win the battle against pollution.

The guidelines, jointly released by six government departments including the National Development and Reform Commission, detail measures to create a fair market climate for environmental protection enterprises and provide them with inclusive policy incentives.

Under the guidelines, private enterprises will enjoy broader market access to energy-saving businesses in sectors including oil, chemical engineering, electricity and natural gas.

Private enterprises should be treated on an equal basis when they participate in the construction of infrastructure such as sewage treatment, medical waste disposal and bulk solid waste recycling facilities, it said.

Preferential tax policies for private environmental protection enterprises should be fully implemented while green finance, an emerging environmental economic policy tool, should be encouraged, said the guidelines.

It also underscored support for private enterprises to drive innovation in both green technology and business models.