'Clear skies' prevail in Beijing after air quality targeted

Environmental measures implemented by the Chinese government have seen the city reach its target of 256 so-called blue-sky days this year, according to authorities.

The city, known for its large population, reached its target 31 days ahead of schedule, it was claimed.

Deputy director of Beijing's municipal environmental protection bureau Du Shaozhong stated: "The quality of our city's air has shown constant improvement over the past ten years."

The bureau claimed that implementing the blue-sky day guide in 1998 as well as taking measures to clear the air in time for the 2008 Olympics this August has contributed to the change.

In October, it was announced that air quality maintenance methods adopted during the Olympic Games were so successful that the city has reinstated them.

This involves cars with certain registration plates being banned from the centre on alternating days of the week.