2015年CRI Incredible 'Beijing Blue' Brings Outing Boom

 

Since Thursday, the capital city of Beijing has embraced blue sky and puffy white clouds after thunderstorms and strong wind took away air pollution.

The so called 'Beijing Blue' has transformed the city which has long been criticized for its smog pollution.

CRI' Wang Wei reports.

Photos of the capital's breathtaking blue sky and fleecy clouds have gone viral on social network websites.

The uncommonly¹ clear sky and fresh air have enticed² many residents to go outdoors and take a photographic record of the good weather.

Local residents have expressed their passion for the summery conditions.

"I feel that APEC blue has come back, and the clean air makes people feel comfortable." "I like going out in such good weather, and I hope this can last in the future. Young people are more willing to going outdoors. It's good for us." "Beijing has witnessed really good weather recently, with blue sky and white puffy clouds. It'll be great if this can carry on."

Thousands of people are choosing to hang out in parks or suburban³ areas getting close to nature and enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Not only Beijing, but also neighboring Tianjin city has seen blue sky.

Ma Xuekuan with China's National Meteorological Center explains the reasons.

"The cold vortex in high altitude brings continuous fresh cold air which can help to dilute⁴ and diffuse⁵ pollutants⁶ in the air. Meanwhile, the cold vortex brings more rainfall, also contributing to air cleaning. So air condition in the north region of the country is very good."

Besides meteorological factors, the authorities have made intense efforts in recent years to curb⁷ air pollution in the capital which is frequently enveloped⁸ in acrid⁹ smog.

To prevent the situation from worsening, the government has banned substandard vehicles and increased funding to fight pollution.

The capital has closed a series of coal power plants, to bring back "APEC Blue" -- a phrase describing the city's clear skies during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings last November.

Local authorities also aim to reduce the density¹⁰ of PM 2.5, particulate¹¹ matter that causes hazardous¹² smog, by twenty percent by 2017.

An anonymous¹³ Beijing resident says she is confident about the government's measures to tackle air pollution.

"I believe that through the government's efforts in fighting air pollution, residents can enjoy more and more clean days like this."

At the same time, officials point out that 'Beijing Blue' could ease the public's concerns over the air pollution problem and attract more tourists from both home and abroad.

Statistics show that the capital has witnessed a steady decline in tourists' number from 2012 to last year, with air pollution considered a major factor.

For CRI, this is Wang Wei.

1 uncommonly   

adv. 稀罕(极，非常)

参考例句：

• an uncommonly gifted child 一个天赋异禀的儿童
• My little Mary was feeling uncommonly empty. 我肚子当时正饿得厉害。

2 enticed   

诱惑，怂恿( entice的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He enticed his former employer into another dice game. 他挑逗他原来的老板再赌一次掷骰子。
• Consumers are courted, enticed, and implored by sellers of goods and services. 消费者受到商品和劳务出售者奉承，劝诱和央求。

3 suburban   

adj.城郊的，在郊区的

参考例句：

• Suburban shopping centers were springing up all over America. 效区的商业中心在美国如雨后春笋般地兴起。
• There's a lot of good things about suburban living.郊区生活是有许多优点。

4 dilute   

vt.稀释，冲淡；adj.稀释的，冲淡的

参考例句：

• The water will dilute the wine.水能使酒变淡。
• Zinc displaces the hydrogen of dilute acids.锌置换了稀酸中的氢。

5 diffuse   

v.扩散；传播；adj.冗长的；四散的，弥漫的

参考例句：

• Direct light is better for reading than diffuse light.直射光比漫射光更有利于阅读。
• His talk was so diffuse that I missed his point.他的谈话漫无边际，我抓不住他的要点。

6 pollutants   

污染物质（尤指工业废物）( pollutant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Pollutants are constantly being released into the atmosphere. 污染物质正在不断地被排放到大气中去。
• The 1987 Amendments limit 301(g) discharges to a few well-studied nonconventional pollutants. 1987年的修正案把第301条（g）的普通排放限制施加在一些认真研究过的几种非常规污染物上。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

7 curb   

n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制

参考例句：

• I could not curb my anger.我按捺不住我的愤怒。
• You must curb your daughter when you are in church.你在教堂时必须管住你的女儿。

8 enveloped   

v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• She was enveloped in a huge white towel. 她裹在一条白色大毛巾里。
• Smoke from the burning house enveloped the whole street. 燃烧着的房子冒出的浓烟笼罩了整条街。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 acrid   

adj.辛辣的，尖刻的，刻薄的

参考例句：

• There is an acrid tone to your remarks.你说这些话的口气带有讥刺意味。
• The room was filled with acrid smoke.房里充满刺鼻的烟。

10 density   

n.密集，密度，浓度

参考例句：

• The population density of that country is 685 per square mile.那个国家的人口密度为每平方英里685人。
• The region has a very high population density.该地区的人口密度很高。

11 particulate   

adj.微小的；n.微粒，粒子

参考例句：

• A special group was organized to dig up the particulate of the case.成立了一个专门小组来查明该案件的各个细节。
• Lungs retain relatively insoluble particulate material.肺脏内留有不溶解的颗粒物质。

12 hazardous   

adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的

参考例句：

• These conditions are very hazardous for shipping.这些情况对航海非常不利。
• Everybody said that it was a hazardous investment.大家都说那是一次危险的投资。

13 anonymous   

adj.无名的；匿名的；无特色的

参考例句：

• Sending anonymous letters is a cowardly act.寄匿名信是懦夫的行为。
• The author wishes to remain anonymous.作者希望姓名不公开。