State Council announces 10 new measures to curb air pollution
Controls on worst polluters and PM2.5, adjustment to nation's energy structure among State Council measures to rid cities of choking smog
The central government has taken further steps to curb air pollution, with fresh measures outlined at a cabinet meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang yesterday.
The government had promised to implement stricter curbs on severe air pollution after most of the cities in the north choked on thick smog for most of the winter.
It will strictly control highly energy-intensive and polluting industries, adjust its energy structure and enhance control of PM2.5 - particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter that can damage health - in populated regions and cities, a statement released after the meeting said.
The government said it would eliminate overcapacity in heavily polluting industries, such as iron and steel, cement, aluminium and flat glass, earlier than the target originally set in the latest five-year plan. It also vowed to reduce major emissions by some heavily polluting industries by more than 30 per cent by the end of 2017.
During periods of heavy pollution, local governments should enact emergency management response measures, such as traffic restrictions or emissions limits for polluting industries, the cabinet said.
The government would hold regional officials accountable for achieving targets on curbing pollution set by the government and strengthen oversight by setting up an assessment system, it said.