Beijing: Keeping the Sky Blue

Beijing, capital of China, is a rapidly growing ultra-large metropolis. For a long time, the city found itself under huge pressure and struggled to control air pollution due to its high-speed growth, unfavorable topography, and climate conditions. In January 2013, a heavy blanket of smog shrouded the city, and the average daily PM2.5 concentration approached 160 micrograms per cubic meter. This attracted widespread attention at home and abroad.

Analysis showed that coal burning, automobiles, industries and airborne dust were the main causes of local air pollution. The air quality fell short of the national standards, and failed the residents' expectations and the city's role as national capital. Particularly in autumn and winter, Beijing would suffer frequent heavy air pollution. This seriously impacted its international image and local happiness index.

Since 2013, Beijing has followed the guidance of Xi Jinping thought on eco-civilization. Taking blue skies as a major symbol of public happiness and focusing on PM2.5 concentration control, the city has taken unprecedented measures to combat air pollution and tap the potential for emission reduction.

It has launched a clean air action plan, and shifted the effort from end-of-pipe treatment to whole-process control, from control of concentrations to control of both concentrations and total emissions, from treatment by individual enterprises to combined efforts on the part of enterprises, regions and industries, and from government control to whole-society participation.

The city has followed a holistic approach to reducing coal burning, controlling the number of automobiles running on the road and the total consumption of diesel oil, reducing pollutant emissions, and making a greater cleaning and de-dusting effort. Thanks to a systematic plan, cooperation among different regions, adjustment of energy and industrial structures, and public participation, local air quality has seen a notable improvement.

Beijing's air pollution control sets an example for other cities. The key lies in the leadership and resolution of local authorities. A clear-cut goal, strong support of regulations, mechanisms and policies, effective and targeted measures, and full implementation are all important factors. Public participation is also indispensable in air pollution control.

北京打贏首都藍天保衛戰

中國首都北京，是一座快速發展的特大型城市。長期以來，由于北京市城市經濟快速發展，社會生產生活高位運行和不利的地形氣候，大氣污染防治面臨巨大困難和壓力。2013年1月，北京市發生了持續性、大范圍、高濃度的空氣重污染，當月PM2.5平均質量濃度接近160μg/m3，引起了國內外的高度關注。經過多方分析認為，影響北京空氣質量的主因是燃煤、機動車、工業和揚塵等污染排放量過大。北京空氣質量距離國家標準、市民期盼、首都功能定位還有很大差距，尤其在秋冬季，重污染易發、多發，嚴重影響首都國際形象和市民幸福指數。

自2013年以來，北京市以習近平生態文明思想為指導，將藍天作為市民幸福生活重要標志，聚焦PM2.5污染治理，深挖減排潛力，以前所未有的力度治理大氣污染：實施清潔空氣行動計劃，大氣污染治理對策逐漸從末端治理轉向全過程管控，從以濃度控制為主轉向濃度與總量并重，從注重企業治理轉向企業治理與區域和行業治理并重，從注重政府管控轉向全社會共治，圍繞“壓減燃煤、控車減油、污染減排、清潔降塵”等方面，采取體系規劃、區域協同治理、能源和產業結構調整、激勵公眾參與等方式，多方位、全過程地開展大氣污染治理，空氣質量改善成效顯著。

北京市大氣污染治理，為其他城市提供了值得借鑒的經驗。實現地方大氣環境質量改善關鍵在于各級黨委、政府堅強領導和決心，制定清晰明確的目標，提供有效支撐的法規、制度和政策，以及精準有效的措施和全面有力的落實。同時，公眾的積極參與對于推動大氣環境改善和促進社會和諧至關重要。