Clean air requires the efforts of all, not just people in Hebei

THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION has released a list ranking the air quality in 74 major cities in 2014, sparking a debate because it says seven of the 10 cities with the worst air quality are in Hebei province, while another, Tianjin municipality, neighbors it. Comments:

Seen separately, the rankings could send the wrong signal. Hebei province produced 190 million tons of crude steel, almost one-fourth of the country's total, in 2013. This industrial arrangement, along with the province's geographical location, is responsible for the poor air quality in Hebei. It would have been better if the list also contained the efforts the cities have made to fight air pollution so as to avoid misunderstandings.

Beijing News, Feb 3