China launches campaign against air pollution in autumn, winter

The Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) said Sunday that it will launch a campaign against heavy air pollution in autumn and winter.

The country should improve its forecast calculation capacity to extend the forecast period from seven to 10 days, providing sufficient time for taking effective measures, MEP said in a statement.

Emergency response plans should be improved in 28 cities in northern and central China to ensure the effectiveness of measures to cut emissions, the statement said.

In case of heavy air pollution, inspection teams will improve supervision of local emergency response efforts.

If regional heavy pollution is forecast, MEP will forward the early warning information to affected cities as soon as possible to facilitate coordinated efforts.

MEP will also set up a Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei air environment management agency to help deal with heavy pollution in autumn and winter.