What they say

"Having spent 60 years in Beijing, I have seen numerous changes. The river in the park where I exercise, which was once filled with stinky sewage, is now refreshed with clean water. I have also enjoyed many springs in Beijing without being disturbed by dust storms. What really bothers me is the foggy winters. Since the haze is harmful to our health, I hope this problem can be solved soon."

Zhang Guizhen, 84, a Beijing resident

"Beijing is a livable city with a dynamic economy and diverse culture, making it overwhelmingly attractive to young people. But I am afraid the environment is too overloaded because of such a huge population. Public transportation is crowded and traffic jams are so bad that people joke about spending a whole day running a single errand in the capital."