This Day, That Year

Editor's note: This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up policy.

An item from Dec 25, 1998, in China Daily reported that several districts in Beijing had launched campaigns to get rid of unlicensed barbecue and hotpot streetside businesses. Barbecue cooking, vehicle exhaust and coal burning were identified as the three main pollution sources in the capital.

After a series of campaigns against air pollution, Beijing has seen a significant reduction in PM2.5 - tiny airborne particles that are harmful to health.