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Beijing to Freshen Its Air with 5.4 Billion Dlrs

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 The government has weeded out 600,000 outdated automobiles and renovated 180,000 vehicles by the end of last year.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)