This Chinese national capital announced on Sunday that it had 238 days of good air quality so far this year, fulfilling the annual "blue sky" target.

The number of days with good air quality is four days more than the same period last year, according to Du Shaozhong, deputy director of the municipal bureau of environmental protection.

"In winter, numerous construction sites in Beijing served as the main source of pollution. By late June, the days of fine air quality were 10 days fewer than that in the same period of last year, " said Du.

"With more days of fine air quality appeared in July and August, we eventually caught up and even outstripped the pre-set plan by late August, Du said.

Du attributed the achievement to intensified efforts made by environmental protection departments at various levels in reducing pollution from coal burning.

(Xinhua News Agency December 25, 2006)