Sun shines on Urumqi anti-pollution projects

One of China's most polluted cities in winter, Urumqi, has seen a massive improvement in its air quality, residents and experts said.

By Dec 10, the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region had 279 "fairly good" days this year, three more than in 2011, according to the environmental protection agency.

"The sky is blue and the snow stays white, which was rare in Urumqi in the past. It's an amazing change," said Yuan Huixia, 51, as she did her morning exercises in a snow-covered park.