“crazy bad” air in Beijing

http://www.dw.com/en/china-orders-local-forecasters-to-stop-issuing-smog-alerts/a-37170575
China orders local forecasters to stop issuing smog alerts

Chinese authorities have ordered local meteorological bureaus to cease issuing smog alerts. The move has increased fears that that the government is trying to suppress information on the country's air pollution.

China's Meteorological Administration notified regional forecasters late on Tuesday to "immediately stop issuing smog alerts." The leaked notice was widely shared on popular Chinese microblog Weibo and confirmed by state media.

The government said a single department will now be responsible for issuing smog alerts to avoid mismatches between the different authorities. A representative from the China Meteorological Administration told government-backed online publication "The Paper" that "meteorological bureaus and the environmental protection administration often disagree when they issue smog-related information."

"A joint alerting mechanism will be formulated to consult how to and who should issue alerts for smog," the representative added.

http://www.chinadailyasia.com/chinafocus/2017-01/17/content_15559311.html
Smog? Good for buisness!

Good news for pets in China -
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-38766826
Officials in China's capital, Beijing, have called on residents to refrain from setting off fireworks for the Lunar New Year, amid smog concerns.

The call comes after the entire province of Henan banned the practice.

Authorities have been under pressure to stop the heavy pollution blanketing the capital and other parts of China.

The Chinese tradition of setting off fireworks and firecrackers to ring in the new year is considered auspicious and an essential part of celebrations.

The Spring Festival, as it is also known, starts on Saturday and is China's biggest holiday period.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-39801555
A dust storm is choking a large swathe of northern China including the capital, Beijing, in yet another air quality crisis to affect the country.

Official air quality readings have soared well above the recommended World Health Organization (WHO) limit.

Authorities are advising residents to avoid outdoor activity and for children and elderly people to remain indoors.

The dust is blowing in from neighbouring Mongolia and China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Beijing's environmental agency said that as of 11:00 local time (03:00 GMT), the PM2.5 reading - which measures pollution in the form of small breathable particles - was 500 micrograms per cubic metre.

The WHO says the maximum safe level should be 25 micrograms per cubic metre.

Authorities said Beijing would be affected until Thursday evening and visibility would be noticeably low throughout the day. Dozens of flights have been delayed or cancelled.