Beijing is now blanketed by humid, still air that is produced by a deadly smog that has been covering China's capital for at least three days, placing the massive city into "red alert" Tuesday even if many residents still ignore the warnings, limiting their time outdoors.

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According to Environment Minister Chen Jining, he is urging more supervision in Beijing including its surrounding cities such as Tianjin, where the number of environmental inspection teams will be increased from the current 12. 

Smog in Beijing has always been a public health concern for the Chinese however the response system of the government has been undergoing some heavy scrutiny and criticism when they did not issue a red alert during a particular heavy smog episode that already surpassed hazardous levels.

According to the director of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, Ma Jun, which is a local environmental NGO, this measure is indicating that the government has at least the courage to face this grave problem, with regards to this red alert, adding that the government was somewhat reluctant prior to this in acknowledging this problem and now, they are now willing to face this issue directly.

Prior Chinese studies have indicated that their pollution is now a major source of unrest around the nation where Greenpeace even considered this red alert as a welcoming sign of a different attitude of the Beijing government.

According to World Health Organisation's representative in China, Bernhard Schwartländer, this red alert means that Beijing is now taking air quality and the health issues with it, very seriously nowadays. 

The red alert entails still weather and reduced cold temperatures and increasing humidity according to the Beijing City Emergency Office. Apart from this, the government orders 30 percent of vehicles off the roads where heavier vehicles are banned, including most schools that are advised to cancel classes and businesses and offices are advised to implement flexible working hours. Large scale, outdoor activities will also be stopped which will be effective until Thursday noon.

The United States embassy's monitoring station also recorded an air quality index, indicating a 343, which means that air pollution levels are already in hazardous levels.

This red alert is also regarded as an effort of China to combat change where according to the People's Daily, which is the ruling Communist Party's official paper, China's contributions to fight climate changes are much praised as the article was released during the Paris climate talks, stating that, people around the world are looking to China's continuing progress to green development where the nation will be acting as a role model to face the challenges of climate change.

Tagschina beijing, beijing smog, red alert over smog in beijing, air pollution china