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China has introduced various emergency responses and long-term measures against air pollution in the central and eastern regions.
The air quality index reading for Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi Province, reached 500 last Wednesday afternoon. That was at the top of the air quality index, or AQI scale and indicating hazardous pollution.
Smog still covered the city and the AQI at Thursday noon was 417, making Xi'an the second most polluted city in the region after Xingtai in Hebei Province at 491.
A city government emergency response plan swung into action, suspending all construction and taking at least 50 percent of government vehicles off the road. Power plants must limit their output and reduce emissions.
In December, nearly half the country, including more than 100 cities in 20 provinces, has suffered from smog. Many have taken actions, including experimenting with artificial methods to reduce smog, limiting vehicle use and fining polluters.
In Beijing, more than 200 automatic observatories and eight new meteorological radar systems will improve weather forecasting by 2015.
China abandoned assessments based on GDP alone earlier in December and put more emphasis on public well-being and the environment. Whether the move will be effective in forcing local governments consider environmental issues over economic growth remains to be seen.
This is NEWS Plus Special English.
