Last year, the concentrations of major air pollutants in Beijing dropped across the board, and this year the city will continue implementing measures such as coal-to-electricity conversion, phasing out old vehicles, and enforcing the Beijing V emission standards to tackle air pollution.

200 heavily polluting enterprises relocated or adjusted during the 11th Five-Year Plan period

According to statistics from the Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau, compared with 2007, in 2011 the emissions of sulfur dioxide and chemical oxygen demand decreased by 28.5% and 16.7% respectively.

For the two newly added indicators—nitrogen oxides and ammonia nitrogen—compared with 2010, in 2011 Beijing’s emissions decreased by 4.75% and 2.98% respectively.

In 2011, Beijing was one of only two provinces, municipalities, or autonomous regions nationwide where all four of these pollutant emissions declined.

The municipal environmental protection bureau explained that during the 11th Five-Year Plan period, Beijing formulated and implemented the 14th to 16th phases of air pollution control measures and the Clean Air Action Plan, comprehensively addressing pollution from coal, motor vehicles, industry, and dust.

Beijing also enforced the Phase IV new vehicle emission and fuel standards ahead of schedule, phased out and updated 156,000 yellow-label vehicles and 601,000 old motor vehicles, and completed the vapor recovery treatment at 1,462 gas stations, 52 oil depots, and 1,387 tank trucks. In addition, more than 200 heavily polluting enterprises, including Shougang, were relocated or adjusted.

During the 11th Five-Year Plan period, the three main air quality indicators that met standards—sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and inhalable particulate matter—saw their annual average concentrations decrease by 40.4%, 21.2%, and 26.4% respectively.

Beijing takes the lead nationwide in PM2.5 monitoring

In 2012, Beijing became the first in the country to carry out PM2.5 monitoring. On October 6, all 35 PM2.5 monitoring sites in Beijing were put into trial operation, and real-time trial data were released.

Monitoring goes hand in hand with governance. Beijing formulated air pollution control measures for 2012–2020, which were successively reviewed and approved by the municipal government special meeting, the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee, and the State Council executive meeting, and then issued and implemented by the municipal government.

That year, Beijing completed the clean energy conversion of 2,600 steam tons of coal-fired boilers, converted the heating systems of 21,000 courtyard houses in the core area from coal to electricity, and promoted the completion and operation of the Southwest Gas Thermal Power Center. At the same time, the Phase V motor vehicle fuel standard was officially implemented, and a total of 377,000 old motor vehicles were phased out throughout the year. Last week, Beijing began enforcing the Phase V new motor vehicle emission standards.

According to statistics from the municipal environmental protection bureau, in 2012, the concentrations of major air pollutants in Beijing dropped across the board, with an average decline of 3.8%.

The municipal environmental protection bureau introduced that this year the “clean energy” strategy will be accelerated, completing the clean energy conversion of 1,600 steam tons of coal-fired boilers citywide, converting the heating systems of 44,000 courtyard houses in the eastern and western urban areas from coal to electricity, and other measures. In addition, 180,000 old motor vehicles will be phased out, over 450 highly polluting enterprises will be closed down or withdrawn, and measures such as promoting structural adjustment and transformation in the cement industry will be taken.

■ Weather

First ever smog warning issued nationwide; heavy pollution in central and eastern China

Smog covers over 1 million square kilometers nationwide; rain and snow to arrive later this month and weaken smog

By Beijing News. Yesterday, widespread smog occurred in central and eastern China, leading to a continuous decline in air quality. In addition to issuing a fog warning, the Central Meteorological Observatory also issued a blue smog warning, marking the first time China has issued a standalone smog warning.

Yesterday, visibility on some roads in Beijing dropped below 500 meters, and the city’s air quality reached “severe pollution” levels.

This smog event covers a wider area than the earlier one in early January

The smog that emerged yesterday built on conditions seen on January 25, showing signs of worsening. According to CCTV reports, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment used satellite remote sensing to monitor and found that this pollution belt currently stretches across central and eastern China, with the affected area exceeding 1 million square kilometers. Li Qing of the Satellite Environment Application Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment stated that the more severely affected areas are mainly located in the southern part of the North China Plain, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and in Hubei and Hunan provinces. The extent of this smog process is broader than the smog from January 10 to 15.

At 14:00 yesterday, the Central Meteorological Observatory issued a blue smog warning, predicting that from now until 14:00 today, most parts of the North China Plain, the Huaihai region, the middle and eastern parts of the Han River, the northern parts of the Yangtze River Delta, and the southern parts of Guangdong will experience smog, with visibility in some areas less than 3 kilometers. This smog warning was reissued at 18:00 yesterday.

It is reported that this is the first time the Central Meteorological Observatory has issued a standalone smog warning. Previously, on January 13, the observatory had issued a yellow haze and fog warning.

Officials from the Central Meteorological Observatory explained that currently, the national warning system for smog is not yet fully developed, and there is only a blue warning level for smog. On January 13, considering factors such as the first issuance of a smog-related warning, a combined yellow haze and fog warning was issued. They noted that the smog warning system may be further revised in the future.

This nationwide smog warning was also accompanied by a blue fog warning. According to the warning, light fog will affect most parts of central and eastern China until this morning.

Visibility in most parts of Beijing does not exceed 2 kilometers

Yesterday, the smog in Beijing also worsened. After issuing yellow warnings for fog and smog the day before, the municipal meteorological observatory continued the warnings yesterday.

According to the Beijing Professional Meteorological Observatory, by the end of yesterday’s workday, visibility in most parts of the city ranged between 1–2 kilometers, with some areas below 1 kilometer. Visibility is expected to deteriorate further after nightfall. By noon today, visibility in most areas will be under 1 kilometer.

Air quality further deteriorated. During the day yesterday, the air pollution level across the city worsened to the "severe pollution" category. According to the real-time air quality release platform of the Municipal Environmental Monitoring Center, from yesterday until 8 p.m., apart from a few monitoring sites categorized as "heavy pollution," most areas of the city reached "severe pollution." All urban districts were at level six — severe pollution. Even the Miyun Reservoir, an area with minimal human activity, experienced level five heavy pollution.

Focusing on the primary pollutant PM2.5, real-time concentrations in most areas fluctuated between 200 and 400 micrograms. By the afternoon, some monitoring sites began to register levels exceeding 400 micrograms.

The smog gradually weakened starting on the 31st.

According to the forecast from the Municipal Environmental Monitoring Center, during the day today, the urban six districts, southeastern, and southwestern parts of the city are still expected to remain at the "severe pollution" level, while the northwestern and northeastern areas will be at the "heavy pollution" level.

The Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Center anticipates no significant improvement in air quality in the coming days. This level of air quality is not suitable for outdoor activities or prolonged stays, and the public is advised to stay indoors as much as possible.

According to CCTV reports, He Lifeng, the chief forecaster of the Central Meteorological Observatory, stated that around January 31 to February 2, there will be a moderate to strong cold air activity, accompanied by a rain and snow process as well as strong winds and temperature drops in the central and eastern regions. Starting on the 31st, this widespread haze weather will gradually weaken and dissipate.

■ Response Measures

Some official vehicles take the lead in suspension

According to CCTV reports, to ensure the effective implementation of the "Emergency Plan for Severe Air Pollution Days," Beijing has established a municipal-level emergency coordination body for severe pollution days. In accordance with the emergency plan, districts and counties with the most severe pollution are actively cooperating with the measure of leading official vehicle suspensions, with the license plate numbers of 30% of the suspended vehicles already entered into the traffic management bureau’s monitoring system.

The Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau stated that yesterday, in addition to routine law enforcement and supervision, environmental authorities increased their inspection and patrol efforts targeting emission sources and roadside checks on motor vehicles.

All demolition projects in the city have been halted

On the 27th, the Municipal Urban Management Law Enforcement Bureau required all urban management units to strengthen inspections of construction sites. All construction sites must increase the frequency of dust suppression measures such as watering, reduce the scale of earth excavation, halt building demolition projects, and take effective measures to prevent dust. Among them, the Haidian District Urban Management Bureau has conducted standardized inspections of 102 construction sites, strictly controlling illegal activities such as site dust, road spillage, and random dumping.

Increase the frequency of road cleaning

The Municipal Commission of City Administration and Environment stated yesterday that all cleaning departments increased the frequency of urban road cleaning operations by two times. Each sanitation operation unit carried out spray dust suppression, road washing, and mechanical vacuum road cleaning within their designated sections. They also increased the frequency of these operations to reduce road dust pollution caused by traffic disturbances. Additionally, night-time road flushing and washing operations were conducted.