China will increase pressure on local governments and enterprises to cut pollution and raise energy efficiency, Wen Jiabao, the premier, said on Monday, after the failure to meet benchmarks set last year in both areas.

In his annual report to the National People’s Congress, the country’s top law-making body, Mr Wen said “many backward production facilities” had not been shut as planned and local governments and enterprises had failed to comply with laws. His sharp rhetoric reflects a recognition by Beijing that worsening energy efficiency and rising pollution are becoming significant domestic and international political problems for China.