Use of foreign words ignites debate among public, experts

"PM2.5" has been a buzzword among Chinese who worry about air quality.

But now some people want to replace the term, which describes a pollution-linked particulate, with a lengthy, confusing Chinese equivalent to protect the purity of the Chinese language.

More than three decades into China's reform and opening-up, a growing number of loan words have been absorbed into daily use, ranging from Wi-Fi to GDP, NBA and VIP.