Nanfang Metropolis Daily:

In recent years, China's air quality has significantly improved. We used to see pictures of blue skies posted on WeChat. In recent years, with better air quality, blue skies have become a common sight, and fewer pictures have been shared among people. How did such great changes take place in such a short time? What key measures have been taken? How could the air quality in China be further improved in the future? Thank you.

Huang Runqiu:

Thank you for your questions. Speaking of blue sky, I would like to show you a photo taken at night. This image shows star trails in the night sky against the backdrop of the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City. How was the photo taken? As you can see, stars twinkle at night and their movements in the sky form bright trails called star trails. The photo must be taken in an environment with good air quality. Therefore, this image is a true reflection of Beijing's improvement in air quality in recent years. The average density of PM2.5(particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less)was reduced by 63.1%, nearly two-thirds, from 89.5 micrograms per cubic meter in 2013 to 33micrograms per cubic meter in 2021. The number of heavily-polluted days in Beijing reduced from 58 in 2013 to eight in 2021, then to two this year. Consequently, "blue sky" days have become the norm in Beijing, as evidenced by the APEC summit in 2014, the parade in 2015 and the Winter Olympics this year. 

Beijing epitomizes China's changes in air quality. Air quality in the past 10 years was improved substantially across China, including the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta region, and the Zhujiang River Delta region. Over the past decade, the average density of PM2.5 in China's 74 major cities dropped by 56%. The number of heavily polluted days in those cities decreased by 87%. In 2021, the number of heavily polluted days in cities at and above prefecture level across China declined by 51% compared with 2015. China is the first developing country to tackle PM2.5pollution and is hailed as the fastest to address air pollution. 

How was China able to improve its air quality so much? To my understanding, it should be accredited to the importance of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council attached to it and their science-based decisions. In recent years, China rolled out the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan and a three-year action plan to fight air pollution . Of course, the concerted efforts from government departments and all sectors of society, including the press, were indispensable. I think the efforts made in adjusting the structures of the following four aspects are crucial. 

First, we adjusted the energy structure to be cleaner and lower in carbon emissions. Over the past 10 years, two-thirds of China's increased energy consumption was from clean energy. The number of coal-fired boilers and kilns was reduced from 500,000 to 100,000. We promoted clean heating during winter season in northern China, sparing more than 27 million rural households from smoky coal-fired heating in winter. People are living happier lives as their living conditions improved notably. The air quality was also improved, thanks to burning 60 million fewer metric tons of coal. 

Second, we adjusted the industrial structure to improve the quality and efficiency of industrial development. In the past decade, we reduced outdated production capacity and cut overcapacity of 300 million metric tons of steel, 400 million metric tons of cement and 150 million metric tons of glass. We established the world's biggest clean coal power generation system and the capacity of coal power generators with ultra-low emissions reached more than 1,030million kilowatts. We strived to upgrade the whole procedure of steel production towards ultra-low emissions, with 630 million metric tons of crude steel capacity being or having been upgraded to achieve ultra-low emissions.

Third, we adjusted the transportation structure to adapt to a green approach. In the past 10 years, we reduced more than 30 million outdated and high-emission vehicles. Now China owns the world's largest number of new energy vehicles. The vehicle emission and fuel quality standards have been updated from "China IV" to "China VI," and the standards are both leading the world.

Fourth, we improved the urban environment governance structure to include dust control as a key area. We have combated the dust generated by mining gravel in construction sites, resulting in a notable decline in urban dust. We set up a grid-based supervision institution to tackle air pollution at the village and community levels. Burning uncultivated land in spring, straw in autumn and garbage all year long, barbecuing in summer, and coal-fired heating in winter were controlled. The cities took on a new look, to which technology contributed greatly. More than 2,000 technicians participated in examining the reasons for air pollution and resolving them. We developed a national forecast model whose accuracy rate reached 90% in combating PM2.5 pollution. Such technological support was pivotal in our fight against air pollution.

More needs to be done to meet people's expectations and achieve the goal of building a "beautiful China." Next, focusing on coordinated efforts to reduce pollution and lower carbon emissions, we will tackle both PM2.5 and ozone and emphasize joint control of various pollutants and coordinated prevention and control efforts across regions. In doing so, we can press ahead with low-carbon and green development in industries, energy and transportation, fight against air pollution and promote sustainable improvements in air quality. Thank you. 

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