CHINA TOPIX

12/22/2024 10:52:15 pm

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XI Hopes 'APEC Blue' Will Stay, Beijing Residents Dread Return of the Smog

The Chinese people's enthusiasm for Beijing's "APEC Blue" skies during the recent summit is starting to dissipate as they fear the return of the smog.

The Chinese government helped provide the clearer skies by implementing measures such as odd-even day vehicles prohibition, giving government workers the week off, as well as closing factories. Many Chinese are worried that now that the world leaders have left the summit, the vehicles on Beijing's roads will increase, factories will resume production, and then Beijing smog will be back.

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In order to promise to the public and to give pressure to officials, some districts count the days of blue sky as an index of officials' performance. Experts said haze governance may take at least 5 years to see significant change; to deal with the issue fundamentally might take 20 years with effective measures.

It should be normal to see blue sky, but in Beijing, blue sky seems to be a luxury. In these two years, when strong winds blow smog away, people would immediately take pictures and post on Weibo or Wechat to share with friends. It looks like a fault to stay indoor with the rarely nice weather.

People fear about "APEC Blue" because they worry about they could not see it anymore and the weather would be worse after APEC.

President Xi says, "I hope and believe, through persistent efforts, 'APEC Blue' can stay forever."

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