In 2016, the average PM2.5 concentration in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta were all reduced by 30 percent compared with 2013, Zhao Yingmin, vice minister of environmental protection, reported at a press conference.

However, Zhao noted that haze pollution remains high in winter, indicating more efforts are needed to sufficiently improve air quality in a more sustainable way.

Zhao suggested that the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region take measures in the following six areas to strengthen air pollution control in winter:

First, production of iron and steel will be reduced to the estimated level in Beijing, Tianjin and 26 more cities in Hebei, Shanxi and Henan provinces. Small-scale, high polluting iron and steel makers will be shut down.

Second, clean energy for heating will be largely promoted. Construction of “forbidden zones" for the use of coal and small coal-fired boilers will be accelerated, with the goal of negative growth in total coal consumption in Beijing, Tianjin and 26 more cities in Hebei, Shanxi and Henan provinces.

Third, there will be comprehensive treatment of industrial air pollution by setting emission standards for key industries, issuing pollutant discharging license, and cutting down the emissions of volatile organic compounds.

Fourth, the government has vowed to control production by limiting the working hour and output of products in cement, casting, electrolytic aluminium and other chemical industries.

Fifth, vehicle emissions, particularly diesel engines, will be strictly supervised and controlled. Tianjin port refuses to transport coal carried by diesel engine car. The government will also crack down on the production and sale of counterfeit and substandard fuel to optimize fuel management.

Finally, the authorities will order construction sites to reduce dust in the cities.