Shanghai ranked first on sustainable development capability among the 31 provinces and municipalities in China, according to a social research institution's list based on 2005 figures, Xinhua news agency reported today.

Beijing and Tianjin followed Shanghai. The provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Liaoning, Guangdong, Jilin, Fujian and Heilongjiang rounded out the top 10. All 10 had sustainable development capabilities above the national average, the report said.

The Tibet Autonomous Region, Gansu Province and the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region wasted the most resources, the report added.

Provinces and cities along the eastern coast ranked higher in terms of energy saving and environmental protection, the institution's report said. It added that western and central regions of the country had made a great progress.

Shaanxi, Qinghai, Guizhou, Inner Mongolia and Chongqing recorded the biggest increases in sustainable development capabilities.

The report also found that environmental conditions were worsening around the country. Air quality has continued to decrease from 1995 in all cities and provinces except Beijing, Shanghai and the province of Shandong.

Ecological conditions were stable in most parts of the country, the report added.