Efforts to curb the air pollution that has smothered parts of China take center stage at the opening briefing of annual two sessions meetings.
Drizzle and wind finally provided a breath of fresh air for Beijingers on Thursday after a week of heavy smog shrouded the city.
As we enjoy the precious lull of clear skies after the heavy smog — arguably the worst ever — retreated from Beijing and large swaths of northern China on Thursday, some are already hoping the smog will hit again, and harder, to greet thousands of legislators and officials who will arrive next week for the annual two sessions.
Beijing promised harsher punishments on Thursday for those responsible for noxious air pollution, as residents breathed a sigh of relief after the thick smog dissipated.
A type of lung cancer reported to be increasing in Beijing has been linked to worsening air quality, with an expert warning that the potential health impact could be much greater than the SARS epidemic.
After living in a city with lingering smog for months, Li Guixin has sued the government for failing to control air pollution.
President Xi Jinping said the priority is to limit PM2.5 by reducing dependence on coal, strictly controlling vehicles and adjusting industry structures.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection on Wednesday reported malpractice in Hebei, the province that produces most of China's steel, after sending inspection teams to smog-hit regions.
Smog has blanketed the Chinese capital for at least a week and the Great Hall of the People, where lawmakers will meet next week for the country's parliamentary session, is hardly visible.
A cold front sweeps over Beijing on Wednesday night with rains and strong winds, dispersing the heavy smog that has blanketed the capital for a week.
Popular scenic areas including The Great Wall and Palace Museum had been affected by the smog in terms of tourist numbers.
A cold front will bring wind, rain and snowfall to northern China starting Wednesday, and is expected to disperse the week-long smog.
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