Beijing's air quality soars with 29.5% drop in PM2.5 level

Beijing's average PM2.5 concentration dropped to a record low of 26.8 micrograms per cubic meter in the first two months of the year, marking a 29.5 percent decline from last year, the environmental authorities announced on Tuesday.

The city enjoyed 54 days of "excellent" air quality, accounting for 91.5 percent of the total days during the period, according to the Beijing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau.

This progress is credited to Beijing's persistent air pollution control efforts. In January, the city launched an action plan to improve air quality, which included promoting cleaner energy and stricter industrial emission standards.

The municipal government has also intensified its monthly review mechanism to ensure district and township levels accountability.

Last year, Beijing set two records for the most days with good air quality and the fewest with heavy pollution since data collection began in 2013.

The annual average concentration of PM 2.5 in Beijing in 2024 was 30.5 micrograms per cubic meter, a 6.2 percent decrease from the previous year.