China experienced 12 more blue-sky and uncontaminated air last year than in 2015. There is a 9.9 percent drop in the average daily concentration of PM2.5, according to a report released on Tuesday.
"The city had 198 "good air" days, while the number of "severely polluted" days fell by seven to 39," Zhang Dawei, director of pollution monitoring for the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau, said at a news conference.
"Good air" days are those when the daily concentration of PM2.5－airborne particles of 2.5 microns in diameter or smaller that are harmful to health－is below 75 micrograms per cubic meter, while "severely polluted" is higher than 150 mcg per cum," as cited by a report.
According to a report, the reduction of coal consumption, phasing out of polluting companies and vehicles can be used for government's strict control on air pollution.
Bureau's report director, Fang Li said that Beijing will take tough measures to cut down the average level of PM2.5 up to 60 this year.
However, the residents are reported to be doubting the data presented saying that 2016 experienced more "bad air days" compared to 2015.
"When the PM2.5 concentration is higher than 35 mcg per cu m, any increase or reduction in concentration will make little difference in terms of visibility,"Xie Shaodong, a professor of environmental sciences at Peking University said.
