Focus on Arts and Ecology

Much of northern China will be hit with major air pollution lasting from March 9 - March 15, said the Ministry of Environmental Protection. According to Xinhua, this week-long pollution episode is down to bad weather conditions, with the region being extremely windless and moist during this time.

Scientists have predicted two or three pollution episodes to follow, making March an unexpectedly polluted month. Areas to the west and south of Beijing will be the most affected, with the capital city also prone to prolonged air pollution. The MEP said it will keep monitoring the atmosphere and advised governments at various levels within the region to take action to control the emission of pollutants. Chinese provinces and cities, including Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, have already seen six bad pollution episodes this year, reported Xinhua in an earlier news story. Some local governments have not fully implemented their environmental responsibilities, said the MEP.