Beijing celebrates Chinese New Year with improved air quality

The air quality in Beijing has improved in time for Chinese New Year.

Du Shaozhong, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Administration, told the Guardian that January 2011 has been "the best month we've had in terms of air quality since 1998".

His comments come as the city began celebrations for Chinese New Year yesterday (February 3rd 2011).

The newspaper reported that Beijing has experienced its first uninterrupted month of blue skies in ten years, as a result of government restrictions on coal burning and car emissions in January.

Mr Shaozhong stated: "In terms of environmental quality, we are on the way. We are climbing every day and trying to improve air quality."

Despite his positive comments, the Independent revealed data from AirNow, CITEAIR and the American Embassy in Beijing last month, which found that Beijing's atmosphere was 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' on January 4th and 5th of this year.

Posted by Claire Manning