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![China has a serious pollution and poor air quality problem which authorities acknowledged will be one of the biggest challenges in the new five-year plan [Xinhua]](http://thebricspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/222465080_8-e1394306818769.jpg)
China has a serious pollution and poor air quality problem which authorities acknowledged will be one of the biggest challenges in the new five-year plan [Xinhua]
In recent weeks, the Chinese capital has been under a red alert heavy smog warning.
China’s color code alerts include red – as the most dangerous and lethal, followed by orange, yellow and blue.
The red code is triggered when the city anticipates four consecutive days of heavy air pollution, including two days of severe air pollution. A red alert is also issued if the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches 500, local media have said.
“Open-air barbecues, garbage incineration, biomass burning, dust from roads — these acts of non-compliance with regulations are actually the result of lax supervision and weak law enforcement,” said Mayor Cai Qi at a press conference.
The city’s latest smog spell lasted more than a week, and Cai said the government will be imposing stricter measures in the new year.
State news agency Xinhua reported that Beijing will cut coal consumption by 30 per cent in 2017.
Beijing will also begin phasing out high-emission vehicles, Chinese officials have said.
The BRICS Post with inputs from Agencies
