As China Reels From Air Pollution, Government Continues Policy Rollouts

摘要

Beijing municipality issued its most severe "blue" air pollution warning on Jan. 15 when the air quality index showed readings of small particulate matter (PM-2.5) above the top level of 500 micrograms per cubic meter, prompting officials in the capital and other areas to pledge further measures to deal with the mounting problem. At the opening of the municipal People's Congress meetings ahead of annual National People's Congress meetings to be held in March, Beijing mayor Wang An-shun vowed that the city would reduce annual average concentrations of PM-2.5 and overall sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions each by 5 percent in 2014, compared with 2013 levels, according to a report on the meeting appearing Jan. 17 on the National Energy Administration (NEA) website.