Chinese vice premier demands improved air quality

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli on Tuesday called on governments in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region to improve air quality.

Zhang made the remarks at a meeting on air pollution, when he urged local governments to gradually eradicate heavily polluted days and to incorporate environmental protection into coordinated development plans.

Zhang raised specific requirements for local governments, including capping use of coal and speeding up the upgrade of petrol quality, among other orders.

Local governments should establish a joint emergency response system against heavy air pollution, and report improvements in air quality regularly, Zhang said.

Air quality in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has improved, as the average density of PM2.5 dropped by 20 percent during the first four months of this year, compared to the same period last year. However, air pollution in this region is still severe.

Zhang demanded efforts to ensure good air quality for commemorating the 70th anniversary of the victory in the war against Japanese aggression. Endi