Beijing will intensify measures to tackle air pollution in 2017 by cutting emissions and strengthening supervision and accountability, acting mayor Cai Qi said at a meeting on Saturday.

In 2017, coal consumption will be cut by 30 percent to less than 7 million tones and the city’s coal-fired power plants will be closed until after the heating season to reduce emissions, according to the municipal government.

A total of 300,000 old vehicles with high emissions will be phased out in 2017. Cleaner gas and diesel will be supplied starting from Feb.15.

In addition, 500 manufacturing and polluting factories will be shut down, while another 2,560 will be upgraded to meet higher pollution treatment standards.

The city government will establish an environmental police force in an effort to intensify supervision and accountability.

Beijing will also join hands with the neighboring Hebei Province and Tianjin Municipality to tackle air pollution.

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