Qingdao's air quality rating in October increased 22.6 percent from the same period last year, the city's Environmental Protection Bureau said Wednesday. Up until the start of November, Qingdao has added 160,000 new vehicles. Among them, 60,000 meet the national III emission standard and 100,000 meet the national IV emission standard.

Han Hongyan, Deputy Director-General of Qingdao Environmental Protection Bureau said that Qingdao has made great strides getting high-emission cars off the road. The city has so far eliminated 8,500 yellow label cars with emissions exceeding normal standards.

"In order to address air pollution from the roots and control the vehicle emission, Qingdao has tightened its control standards for new cars," Han said. The city has forbidden the sale of small vehicles that do not meet the national IV emission standard. Furthermore, the city's commercial gasoline has achieved the national III emission standard.

In addition to the improved air quality rating, Qingdao's nitric oxide pollution decreased 40 percent in the same period. Moreover, the city will have nine environmental monitoring stations with the ability to conduct independent testing by the end of this year.