The air in Beijing, much like the air in Delhi, was extremely polluted; for instance, the average Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi on November 14, 2026, was 563, which is classified as 'hazardous'. The distance between Delhi and China's capital, Beijing, is about 3780 kilometers. On Friday, November 13, the AQI in Beijing was around 170. Although this figure is still considered very poor, the situation in Beijing was once no less critical, when the smog was so thick that buildings were difficult to distinguish.
During the 2013–2014 period, the AQI in Beijing exceeded the 700 mark (severe level) during winter. However, thanks to the implementation of policy measures, strict regulations, and significant investments, China has achieved impressive changes in this situation.
In China, once called the 'bicycle kingdom,' the introduction of internal combustion engines instead of pedal transport created a complex problem for the economy, society, and environment. The city of Beijing became shrouded in smoke and smog, facing serious air pollution. Rapid economic growth, population increase, and the rise in the number of vehicles severely worsened the ecological situation, especially the air quality in the city.
In recent years, in several Chinese cities, pollution reached such levels that a specific term—'Chinese haze'—was created to describe the air quality problem in China. The existence of this term itself testifies to the seriousness of the problem in China.
2013 proved to be a decisive year for Beijing. In January of that same year, the pollution level in the capital and surrounding areas reached an extremely hazardous level. According to a World Bank report, the average daily PM 2.5 level in Beijing reached 569 micrograms per cubic meter at that time. This figure was compared to the PM 2.5 level in Delhi in November 2017, which was 576 micrograms per cubic meter.
Following this critical situation, the State Council of China approved the 'Action Plan for Preventing and Controlling Air Pollution' in September 2013. The plan's goal was not only to reduce current pollution but also to eliminate sources of toxic air. The government set the task of reducing the annual average PM 2.5 level in Beijing by approximately 25% by 2017. To achieve this goal, the administration, industry, and transport sector had to work together.
At that time, days occurred in Beijing when people could not breathe, and their eyes would start to hurt. Patients with respiratory problems and asthma suffered from suffocation. The Chinese government, which views education, healthcare, sports, and industrialization as missions, approached the anti-pollution campaign with the same enthusiasm.
The main cause of pollution in Beijing was the use of coal. Coal-fired boilers were used for home heating, and coal played a major role in industry and power generation. China began by changing this system. According to a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report, restrictions were introduced and control over coal-fired boilers in the city was strengthened. Clean fuels began to be provided in homes instead of coal. Polluting factories were either closed or relocated to other areas. Emission standards at factories were tightened, and measures were taken against violators.
These transformations were not limited to Beijing. China also included Tianjin and Hebei province in the pollution control campaign, as the pollution problem was not confined to the borders of one city; smoke from nearby industrial areas also made the air in Beijing toxic.
To improve the air in Beijing, China also made significant changes in the transport sector. Emission standards for private cars were tightened to reduce pollution from them. Restrictions were introduced on old and more polluting vehicles. Alongside strengthening public transport, the metro network was expanded. Furthermore, attention was paid to making cycling part of the transport system. Plans for bike-sharing received a new impetus so that people would not use cars for short trips.
In addition, work was carried out to control dust rising from construction sites, increase green spaces, and restore degraded ecosystems in the vicinity. Thus, China viewed pollution not just as a problem related to transport or straw burning, but as a complex task requiring the simultaneous resolution of all major sources.
