Beijing mayor eyes 5% drop in PM2.5

Controlling air pollution will continue to be a priority for the Beijing municipal government in the coming year, with a decline expected in the concentration of fine airborne particles, the city's mayor said in a report.

The average density of PM2.5 - airborne particles smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter that can penetrate the lungs and harm health - is expected to decrease by 5 percent in Beijing next year due to continuing efforts such as controlling coal burning and vehicles' discharge of pollutants, Mayor Wang Anshun said on Wednesday while delivering a report on Beijing's economic and social development for this year.

Emission of carbon dioxide is expected to be cut by 2.5 percent next year, he said.