Bringing Tranquility into Reality: An Interpretation of the 2025 China Noise Pollution Prevention and Control Report

Once, the noise of square dancing, the roar of construction sites, and the clamor of traffic formed the background noise of urban life; now, tranquility is becoming a new standard for measuring urban quality.

Recently, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment released the "China Noise Pollution Prevention and Control Report (2025)," an authoritative document jointly compiled by thirteen ministries, comprehensively disclosing the latest progress in noise control in my country. The report shows that in 2024, the total number of noise complaints nationwide was approximately 5.895 million. Although there was an increase compared to the previous year, the growth rate slowed significantly, witnessing how noise pollution prevention and control work is quietly changing our lives.

I. Sound Environment Quality: Progress and Challenges Behind the Data

Daytime compliance rate of 95.8%, nighttime compliance rate of 88.2%—this is the report card of the national sound environment functional zones in 2024. Compared with 2023, the nighttime compliance rate increased by 1.2 percentage points, indicating that the nighttime sound environment quality is improving.

However, the data also reveals that challenges still exist. The nighttime compliance rate for Class 4A acoustic environment functional zones (areas along main traffic arteries) was only 76.3%, ranking lowest among all functional zones. This means that traffic noise remains the main factor affecting residents' nighttime rest.

From a city perspective, the task of improving the acoustic environment quality is even more arduous for municipalities, provincial capitals, and cities with independent planning status. The nighttime compliance rate for Class 1 acoustic environment functional zones (residential areas, medical and health areas, and other areas requiring quiet) in these cities was only 68.6%, far below the national average.

II. Governance Structure: From "Going it Alone" to "Collaborative Operations"

Noise pollution control is no longer a "solo act" for environmental protection departments. The report shows that as of the end of August 2025, 329 prefecture-level and above cities nationwide had completed the division of responsibilities for the 13 articles of the Noise Pollution Prevention and Control Law, clarifying the regulatory responsibilities of each department for noise pollution prevention and control.

Inter-departmental collaboration has become the new normal for noise pollution control. Eight departments, including the Jiangxi Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment and the Public Security Department, jointly launched the "Quiet Protection" comprehensive noise pollution control action; Shenzhen established six working mechanisms to carry out joint law enforcement against construction dust and noise.

This concept of collaborative governance has also taken root at the grassroots level. In Jinshuiwan Community, Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province, noise disputes are resolved at the grassroots level through a "shared court" and a "Ruizhi Mediation Room." In Qingyang District, Chengdu City, a special working group was established to facilitate consensus between bar owners and residents through symposiums.

III. Technological Innovation: Smart Technologies Empowering Noise Control

Technology is injecting new momentum into noise control. In 2024, the national output value of the noise and vibration pollution control industry was approximately 9.7 billion yuan, with technological innovation becoming a crucial driving force for industry development.

Digital governance methods are shining brightly. By the end of 2024, 4,005 sets of automatic monitoring equipment for functional area sound environment quality had been built nationwide, achieving a historic leap from manual to automatic monitoring. Even more encouraging is that various noise maps across the country cover a total area of ​​over 4,400 square kilometers.

Innovative solutions explored across various regions are truly impressive: Lu'an City in Anhui Province piloted a smart noise early warning and monitoring system, achieving "automatic front-end warning, synchronous back-end generation, and timely police response"; seven cities, including Beijing, piloted the installation of directional sound equipment, precisely controlling sound within specific areas through directional sound wave propagation.

IV. Public Concern: From "Complaining About Noise" to "Proactive Noise Reduction"

The report reveals that noise pollution accounts for 59.2% of all environmental pollution complaints, ranking first among all environmental pollution factors. This means that nearly four out of every six environmental complaints are related to noise.

In response to this public concern, various regions have explored many effective solutions. Chaoyang District in Beijing has fostered a democratic decision-making atmosphere of "discussions for all, and collective decision-making for all"; the Jijing Jiayuan community in Wanxin Street, Tianjin, encourages resident self-governance, organizing square dance team leaders to formulate noise reduction rules.

The "Green Exam Protection" campaign has become a vivid example of noise pollution prevention and control. In 2024, cities at the prefecture level and above across China provided safe and quiet accommodations for approximately 36 million students taking the college entrance examination, effectively silencing the noise level.

V. Future Outlook: Tranquility Becomes a Tangible Reality

As of the end of August 2025, 2,223 quiet residential communities had been established nationwide. These communities, through strengthened noise source control and collaborative social governance, have significantly reduced noise-related conflicts and disputes.

Even more promising is the increasingly sophisticated top-level design for noise control. The "Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noise Pollution from Civil Aircraft in Areas Surrounding Civil Transport Airports (2024-2027)" outlines a roadmap for airport noise control; the "Guidance Catalogue of Low-Noise Construction Equipment (2024 Edition)" promotes noise reduction at the source.

China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. has expanded its "quiet carriage" service on high-speed trains, with 99 trains now equipped with "quiet carriages," allowing passengers to enjoy a moment of peace during their journey.

From data monitoring to mapping, from technological innovation to grassroots mediation, China's noise control is undergoing a profound transformation, moving from passive response to proactive planning, and from single-point control to systemic governance.

As more communities join the ranks of "quiet" communities and more technologies are being applied to noise reduction practices, the dream of a tranquil life—"living amidst human habitation, yet free from the noise of carriages and horses"—is gradually becoming a reality, a tangible part of everyone's daily life.