Beijing tops list for improved air quality

Beijing has emerged as the best city in its region for air quality improvements over the past four months - a time when the capital usually suffers its worst air pollution - according to the Ministry of Environmental Protection.

From October to January, all 28 cities in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and surrounding areas saw their air quality improve. Beijing topped the list, as its average concentration of PM2.5 decreased by 58.3 percent from the same period year-on-year. PM2.5 refers to inhalable particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less that is linked to health problems.

Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, came in second, with a decrease of 52.4 percent.