China's smog level is expected to worsen a few days before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) commences in first week of November, environmental officials said on Monday.

According to China's National Environmental Monitoring Centre, recent forecasts show unfavorable weather looming in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei regions which could further raise the PM2.5 concentration to critical levels.

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Several nationwide policies to reduce air pollution in China were implemented starting during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, but critics said that the tangible effects are yet to be seen.  Last month, the central government allocated 10 billion yuan in the form of special funds together with other long-term schemes.

In line with the new policies, Chinese workers will be given shorter office hours and six days off work during the course of the APEC Summit.

Hundreds of industrial factories within a 200-kilometer radius from Tiananmen will be temporarily closed from November 7 to 11.  Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli ordered the shutdown, the most aggressive action to ever be taken by China in years, as the government toughens its battle against pollution. 

Also, Beijing has dispatched teams of city security officials, termed as "chengguan" in local dialect, to apprehend violators of illegal activities.  This is part of the country's stringent exercise to maintain order and alleviate air quality during the 12-day APEC Summit.

Based on the latest smog check between October 1 and 8, air pollutants released by industrial complex zones in the northern part of China have gone full force.  Coal consumption is anticipated to rise with more residential and commercial establishments preparing for the winter season.

Zhang added that ensuring air quality is their "priority of priorities," though he did not discount the fact that the pressure on the government is tremendous.

Hebei governor Zhang Qingwei said China's unwavering efforts to curb smog and other types of environmental pollution are crucial in building the nation's image in the international scene.

Tagssmog check, smog, APEC, Summit, Zhang Gaoli, Pollution