Beijing launches ambitious plan to reduce pollution

By Hou Liqiang | chinadaily.com.cn

Updated: Sept 18, 2018

A watchtower of the Forbidden City is seen under the blue sky in Beijing on Jan 22, 2018. [Photo/VCG]

Beijing authorities have released an ambitious plan of cutting the days of heavy pollution by at least a quarter by 2020 by increasing green transportation and reducing dust.

The capital plans to reduce the average concentration of PM 2.5 particulate matter that poses health dangers in its urban areas to 52 microgram per cubic meter by 2020.

The plans for rural areas differs with the density lower at 46 mg per cu m in three districts and higher at 55 mg per cu m in two, according to the plan.

In 2017, the average PM 2.5 density in the whole city stood at 58 mg per cu m. Beijing had 46 days with heavy air pollution in 2015.

To achieve the goals, the authorities plan to increase cargo transported by trains to 10 percent from the current 2.9 percent and more than double the number of new energy vehicles to 400,000.

The capital also vows to enhance law enforcement against polluting diesel-powered trucks and to inspect at least 1.5 million of such vehicles every year.