The Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau has made an emergency plan to prevent heavy air pollution in Beijing's winter, said vice director Du Shaozhong in Beijing Sunday.

The plan was made after wide consultations with government departments and companies and it will be launched when there emerges heavy air pollution for two consecutive days.

According to the plan, the government will organize special street cleaning and sprinkling work when it is in effect and factories with huge pollutant emission will be ordered to reduce their production.

As of Sunday, Beijing has seen 190 days with blue sky this year, eight days more than the same period last year.

But Du said "Viewing from the weather changing trend in Beijing's past few winters, the situation is not very promising."

He said air pollution in Beijing is growing increasingly complex and the emergency plan is important to cope with the plight.

The official said the bureau will pay especial attention to curbing smoke pollution from burning coal for heating use in the winter.

High quality coal with low sulphur and ash content will be recommended to be used for heating in the winter and the municipal government will also invest in replacing coal with cleaner fuels in small furnaces.

(Xinhua News Agency October 10, 2005)