Beijing has reached a historic milestone in its fight against air pollution, recording 290 days of good air quality in 2024, according to the Beijing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau. This marks the highest number of clean air days since monitoring began, reflecting significant environmental progress in China’s capital.
In 2024, the proportion of days with good air quality stood at 79.2%, an increase of 19 days compared to the previous year, and an impressive rise of 114 days compared to 2013. The number of days experiencing heavy air pollution has plummeted dramatically, from 58 days in 2013 to just two in 2024—a decrease of 96.6%.
Beijing’s success is attributed not only to its own efforts but also to coordinated regional initiatives. The city has actively collaborated with surrounding areas, including the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, to implement comprehensive air pollution control measures. This regional cooperation has involved collaborative planning, unified standards, joint emergency responses, and information sharing, all contributing to the significant improvement in air quality.
Over the past decade, the annual average concentrations of PM2.5—a harmful particulate matter—in Beijing and neighboring regions have decreased substantially. These achievements highlight the effectiveness of Beijing’s environmental policies and regional partnerships in combating air pollution.
For residents and visitors alike, the cleaner air signifies a healthier environment and improved quality of life. Beijing’s commitment to environmental sustainability sets a positive example for urban centers worldwide facing similar challenges.
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Beijing achieves record-breaking 290 days of good air quality in 2024
cgtn.com