China's efforts to curb air pollution in 2013

Traffic reduction during serious pollution

The Beijing Municipal Government passed a program, entitled the Beijing Municipal Heavy Air Pollution Emergency Response Program, at the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China on Oct. 16. It is an emergency response program requiring alternate driving days for cars with even-and odd-numbered license plates in case of lingering smog.

According to the program, when the city issues a red alert for air pollution, the system will be initiated to reduce pollution. Moreover, 30 percent of government cars of various levels will be halted, and schools in kindergartens, primary and high schools will be suspended during polluted days.

If a ban is initiated under the red alert, two million more people are expected to rely on the capital's public transport system. In that case, the city will increase bus frequencies by 21,000 to 25,000 over all, and the subway operation time will be extended by half an hour in the evening.