Beijing ups ante against air pollution

Authorities in Beijing have released an ambitious plan for reducing days with heavy air pollution by 2020 - at least 25 percent from 2015 levels - by increasing green transportation and curbing kicked-up dust.

While generally lauding the plan, which is tailor-made for the capital based on its major air polluting sources, experts warned of the difficulties of achieving further air quality improvements in the city because of the change in major pollution contributors to more challenging types.

The capital plans to reduce the average concentration of PM 2.5 particulate matter, which poses health dangers, in its urban areas to 52 micrograms per cubic meter by 2020.