This Day, That Year

Item from Oct 10, 1998, in China Daily: Most cities in South China saw good air quality last week. In northern China, air quality worsened due to overcast and windless conditions. Zhengzhou, Henan province, was the most polluted city last week.

China has been fighting air pollution for the past several years through reducing the production of steel and use of coal-fired electricity.

Cities are pressing residents to get rid of coal-burning stoves and furnaces at home. Officials have required higher-quality gasoline and diesel for vehicles. Vehicle emission standards set to take effect in 2020 will be comparable to Europe and the United States.