The Standing Committee of the Beijing Party Committee has approved a new Clean Air Action Plan for the 2013-17 period that it drew up earlier this year to get strict with the situation in one of China’s most polluted cities.

Beijing's Western Hills on July 28, a sunny day. [Photo by Song Jiayin / Asianewsphoto]

The State Council approved a similar national action plan last month, which was considered the strictest in dealing with air pollution so far, and is expected to be released this month.

The new plan emphasizes the importance of controlling PM2.5, particles that are a major source of air contamination, which can lead to secondary pollution.

The new plan is designed to cut PM2.5 pollutants by 25 percent by 2017, from 2012 levels.