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Workers leave a factory in rural Gaoyi county, known for its ceramics production, near Shijiazhuang, Hebei province in December. Shijiazhuang saw the biggest improvement in PM2.5 levels in late 2017. Photo: Reuters

Northern cities met Beijing’s winter 2017 air quality targets - but what about 2018?

Levels of PM2.5 were cut in all 28 cities but unfavourable weather may hamper efforts in January and February, according to environment ministry

All 28 Chinese cities in a demanding winter anti-smog campaign met their air quality targets from October to December, but weather conditions could pose challenges in early 2018, the environment ministry said on Wednesday.

The 28 northern cities were ordered to cut concentrations of small, breathable particles known as PM2.5 by 10 to 25 per cent during October to March. They have been curbing industrial output, thinning traffic and cracking down on coal use in a bid to limit smog build-ups.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection said that all the cities exceeded their targets in the final three months of last year, with average concentrations across the region hitting 71 micrograms per cubic metre, down 34.3 per cent from a year earlier.

But the ministry, citing meteorologists, said unfavourable weather, including relatively warm temperatures, is expected to make smog dispersal more difficult in January and February.

It said Shijiazhuang, one of China’s most polluted cities and the capital of heavily industrial Hebei province, saw the biggest improvement in late 2017, with PM2.5 falling 54.8 per cent on an annual basis for October to December – more than double its 25 per cent target.

Average PM2.5 concentrations in Shijiazhuang remained at 85 micrograms, higher than China’s 35 microgram standard as well as the 10 micrograms recommended by the World Health Organisation.

The capital Beijing saw PM2.5 drop 53.8 per cent during the three months. City environmental officials said last week that drier and windier weather conditions were a contributing factor.

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The capital Beijing saw PM2.5 drop 53.8 per cent during the three months. Photo: AP
The six-month campaign to curb winter air pollution in northern China had appeared to start slowly, with only four of the 28 cities meeting their October targets.

But an inspection and enforcement campaign – widely seen as China’s toughest to date – began to have a significant impact in November, even after the predominantly coal-fired winter heating system was activated.

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While China met its 2017 air quality targets, the winter campaign has not been without controversy, with businesses complaining about overzealous “one size fits all” crackdowns as well as gas supply disruptions.

Residents have also complained about surging gas prices and supply shortages.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Northern cities meet air quality goals as ministry warns of weather threat
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