China’s capital, Beijing, has been shrouded in dangerous smog, cutting visibility down to a few hundred metres.
China warned people in northern regions, including the capital Beijing, to stay indoors today as air pollution surpassed World Health Organisation recommended levels.
Reports say the count of small particulate pollution reached more than 25 times recommended levels.
The French newsagency AFP reports a grey haze filled the sky, leaving an industrial, burning smell hanging in the air.
The official air quality index reached the top of the scale at 500.
AFP reports China’s cities are often hit by heavy pollution, blamed on coal burning by power stations and industry, as well as vehicle use.
It’s become a major source of discontent with the ruling Communist Party.
“I can’t believe how bad it is,” said US tourist Richard Deutsch in Tiananmen Square in central Beijing, which was shrouded in heavy smog.
“I have never experienced air this bad.
“It’s worse than Los Angeles and I feel kind of bad for the people, it’s taking years off their life,” he added.
AFP reports authorities have become more open about pollution levels, in part as a response to public pressure.
However, officials have implied that it will take years before the situation improves.
The pollution has been linked to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths, and has tarnished the image of Chinese cities including Beijing, which saw a 10 per cent drop in tourist visits during most of 2013.
“There are less and less tourists coming to Beijing,” said tourist guide Xiao Yan.
“It’s normal as people keep on talking about the bad air quality on the internet.”
China’s State Council said last year that “concentrations of fine particles” in the capital’s air would fall by approximately 25 per cent from 2012 levels by 2017.
Other major Chinese cities on China’s affluent east coast, including Shanghai and Guangzhou, will see reductions of between 10 and 20 per cent from 2012 levels over the same period, it said.
China is the world’s biggest carbon polluter and also the biggest coal consumer.
It is forecast to account for more than half of global demand this year.
The smog adds to pressure on the government to take measures beyond shutting steel plants and limiting the number of cars on the road to battle air pollution.
A rising number of Chinese cities have introduced emergency measures to counter smog amid increasing social unrest over the health effects of a spoiled environment.
