CCTV9英语新闻：Beijing addresses air pollution（在线收听）

Heavy smog is a big headache for Beijing residents. To find out how air pollution could be reined in, our reporter, Wang Hui, also visited the Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau.

5.6 million vehicles are running in Beijing. They are the major source of pollutants in the city, accounting for 40 percent of the total.

Besides encouraging the use of clean energy vehicles, Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau has also taken other actions to curb their effect. The bureau has been implementing strict standards for new vehicles, improving fuel qualities, and accelerating the elimination of old vehicles.

This year, they are going to retire 200,000 high emission old vehicles that fail to meet standards. They will also strengthen the monitoring and punishment of heavy duty diesel vehicles.

An environmental authority says they have seen results, but it’s still challenging.

Since 2013, the central government has launched a five-year action plan to combat the smog. The plan particularly targets the four main pollution sources, which are vehicles, coal, industry, and dust. Beijing’s PM 2.5, an index showing pollutant concentration, dropped 6.2 percent in 2015 from the previous year. However, Beijing residents may need patience before they will notice the obvious changes.

The bureau has set a goal that in 2017, the PM index in Beijing will drop by 25 percent from 2012 levels. Yi says that residents will be able to see more blue skies and breathe more fresh air then.