Measures to ensure air quality for Games

The operations of some factories will be restricted during the upcoming Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games to limit pollution and ensure good air quality, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

The two events will be held when there are unfavorable meteorological conditions for the dispersal of air pollutants in North China, Liu Youbin, a spokesman for the ministry, said at a news conference on Monday.

Despite the great improvement in air quality in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei province cluster in recent years, further measures will be taken to "create a good environment for holding the events", Liu said.

Legislatures in Beijing, Hebei and some nearby regions have authorized local governments to take necessary measures to temporarily restrict operations of some heavy polluters and vehicles with high emissions that will produce little economic impact, Liu said.

The restrictions can be implemented in the preparatory period for the events, and when they are underway, he said.

The 2022 Winter Olympics are due to take place from Feb 4 to 20 in Beijing and co-host Zhangjiakou, Hebei. The Paralympic Games will last from March 4 to 13.

Other contingency responses may be initiated during periods of heavy haze and smog. Under the current emergency response mechanism for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei cluster, emitters with a good track record in controlling emissions will face fewer restrictions when there is heavy smog.

To minimize social and economic impacts, emission reduction measures will be applied in a precise manner and also be made public, Liu said. Efforts will also be made to ensure the normal operation of sectors related to people's livelihoods, energy and heating supplies, as well as epidemic prevention and control measures, he added.

After years of consistent efforts, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei cluster has made great improvement in its air quality, according to the ministry.

Beijing saw its annual average concentration of PM 2.5 particulate matter decrease from 89.5 micrograms per cubic meter in 2013 to 33 mcg/cubic meter last year.

Accumulatively, the number of days with heavy air pollution in the capital was eight last year, compared with 58 in 2013.