Levels of PM2.5 in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area had been reduced by 14.3 percent year-on-year

The Ministry of Environmental Protection has sent 10 teams to inspect the performance of 20 provinces in controlling air pollution amid calls to reduce smog in winter after northern regions experienced poor air quality recently.

The inspection teams will focus on the implementation of major efforts such as shutting down illegal construction projects and polluting companies, and reviewing regular inspections of local environmental teams, the ministry said.