Beijing closes low-end firms to upgrade economy

BEIJING - Beijing shut down or relocated more than 3,100 low-end businesses in the January - August period in a bid to upgrade its economy and reduce air pollution.

A total of 599 companies, mainly construction materials, furniture, chemicals, packaging and printing, were relocated out of the capital, said the Beijing municipal commission of development and reform.

Beijing also closed 2,543 firms and ordered 2,315 firms to make changes. About 73 percent had pollution issues.

Authorities also dismantled 25 markets and closed another 41 in the period.

Meanwhile, authorities dismantled 38.3 million square meters of illegal construction, meeting 95.9 percent of the target for the whole year.