Beijing takes steps to reduce pollution

Hangzhou studies capital's methods to ensure blue skies for major events

Beijing has seen a continued improvement in air quality, harvesting 107 good days in the first six months, the municipal environment authority said.

In the first half-year, the concentration of PM2.5 - fine particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter that is especially hazardous for human health - has been lowered to 64 micrograms per cubic meter, a year-on-year decrease of 17.9 percent, the Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau said.