Fresh measures for clear skies during Games

China will take measures to restrict the operations of some air polluters as it prepares to hold the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

The two events will be held in the cold months just before spring. In northern China, meteorological conditions during this period can lead to a buildup in air pollution, said Liu Youbin, ministry spokesman, at a news conference on Monday.

Despite the great improvement to air quality in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei province cluster in recent years, Liu said that some measures will be taken to create a more favorable environment for holding the events.

Legislatures in the capital, Hebei and nearby regions have authorized local governments to take the necessary administrative measures to limit the operations of heavy polluters and vehicles with high emissions that produce little economic impact.

The 2022 Winter Olympics are due to take place from Feb 4 to 20 in Beijing and co-host city, Zhangjiakou in Hebei province. The Paralympic Games will last from March 4 to 13.

In the event of heavy haze, further emergency responses will be initiated in accordance with the Law on the Prevention and Control of Atmospheric Pollution, with differing restrictions placed on different emitters according to how hazy conditions become, Liu said.