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Beijing is determined to clean up its environment with over US$5.4
billion in the coming five years by focusing on air pollution.
Beijing Mayor Liu Qi promised that Beijing people will then be
able to breathe grade II air, or good quality air, for eight and
a half months in a year.
Clean fuel has been introduced to the Chinese capital with over
12 million people. Beijing consumed more than one billion cubic
meters of natural gas in 2000, making it the biggest city in China
with natural gas as the principal fuel.
More clean energy, including electricity and natural gas, will
be popularized in Beijing in five years, said Zhao Yixin, director
of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Environmental Protection.
Three-fourths of the energy consumed by Beijing will be clean energy
by then, said Zhao. By 2005, Beijing is expected to use 3 billion
cubic meters of natural gas.
Control of exhaust fumes has been expanded from cars to trucks,
diesel cars, and heavy-duty vehicles. The government has weeded
out 600,000 outdated automobiles and renovated 180,000 vehicles
by the end of last year.
To reduce suspended particles, Beijing has one-third of its land
areas covered with trees and grass. Construction companies are asked
to handle their materials well and garbage to avoid dust emission.
Public opinion is invited to supervise efforts made by the government.
A daily report of air quality is becoming as common as weather forecast
for Beijing residents. Beijing first made public its air quality
once a week in 1998 and then daily in 1999.
According to statistics, the air quality of 45 percent of the days
in 2000 was good. People see blue sky, breathe clean air, and eye
twinkling stars more frequently than before.
Liu Qi said Beijing will further improve its air quality this year.
The air quality for half of the days will be good or excellent.
"By the year 2005, Beijing will primarily set up a framework
for an international metropolis with a beautiful environment, fresh
air, and a sound ecological system," he said.
(People's Daily 02/20/01)
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