China gets “tough” on air pollution anew

Issues most comprehensive plan to control air pollution.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection said the State Council approved the Airborne Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (2013-17) last month. More details of the plan will be released in late July.

The plan will be the second to try to fight pollution in the past two years and will be financed by US$277 billion in total investments from the central government.

It will give priority to regions that have heavy air pollution and high levels of PM 2.5, a microscopic particle that harms the respiratory system more than larger particles.

The new plan focuses North China, especially Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei. The plan's goal is to reduce air pollution levels in2017 by 25% from 2012 levels in that region.

A previous airborne pollution prevention plan in 13 key areas of China was released in late 2012.

The government said the latest plan is one of three key action plans that will be released over the next five years. The plans will address airborne pollution prevention, water pollution control and improvements to the rural environment.