Environmental protection efforts in this national capital of China have resulted in clear skies, greener landscape, and a cleaner environment, the municipal statistical bureau says.

According to its annual report, the number of clear days reached 203 in 2002, doubled that of 1998, while the coverages forests and lawns reached 44.5 percent and 40.2 percent, respectively, 6.2 percentage points and 6.8 percentage points more than those of 1997.

Last year, the city's daily capacity of sewage treatment topped1.5 million tons, an increase of 23 percent over 1997. Now, the city has 45 percent of its waste water treated. Meanwhile, 86.5 percent of garbage was treated, 48 percentage points more than that of 1997.

(Xinhua News Agency February 5, 2003)