Apple Inc., once fiercely criticised by NGOs for pollution its suppliers caused in China, is now seen as a leader in environmental control by the same organizations.

"Apple used to have serious environmental control problems with its supply chain," recalled Ma Jun, one of the former critics, "but now it has become a leader."

Apple's vice president Lisa Jackson, who began a visit to China last week, outlined the firm's environmental commitment in an interview with Xinhua.

"China is Apple's fastest growing market. It is also important for us to acknowledge that it comes with a responsibility to our customers and partners here," said Jackson, who is responsible for Apple's environmental initiatives.

She believes the environmental standards Apple has adopted will benefit the company and China. Apple can help the country move forwards on its path to a green economy, Jackson said.

The former administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said that Apple has been innovative in addressing pollution and climate change by looking at renewable energy and energy efficiency, reducing toxins in its products, and being efficient with resources.

Ma Jun has welcomed Apple's progress. Director of Beijing-based Institute of Public Environmental Affairs (IPE), Ma heavily criticized the company for serious pollution caused by its Chinese suppliers.

A report released by NGOs in August 2011 found Meiko Electronics (Wuhan) Co., Ltd. had been discharging wastewater containing concentrations of heavy metals, polluting the Yangtze River and a nearby lake.

Since then Apple has made attempts to repair the damage caused. It has been winning positive comments from the NGOs.

In January 2012 it announced 14 suppliers were being audited because of environmental concerns. In an annual report, Apple also disclosed some of its major suppliers, which it declined to make public before.