This general view shows the new China Central Television headquarters building covered in haze in Beijing on March 2, 2012. China said on March 2 that two-thirds of its cities currently fail to meet new air-quality standards introduced this week that are based on the pollutants most harmful to health.
Chinese residents walk under rows of trees with iced branches along the riverbank in Jilin, northeast China's Jilin province on March 4, 2012.
Chinese residents walk by a rows of trees with iced branches along the riverbank in Jilin, northeast China's Jilin province on March 4, 2012.
Chinese residents ride under rows of trees with iced branches along the riverbank in Jilin, northeast China's Jilin province on March 4, 2012. China said that two-thirds of its cities currently fail to meet new air-quality standards recently introduced that are based on the pollutants most harmful to health, and the cities will have four years to get their pollution levels down to the new limits, which cover levels of ozone and particulates measuring 2.5 micrometres or less, known as PM 2.5.
A woman stands among flowers as she looks towards the sky during smoggy weather in Beijing on March 1, 2012. China's cabinet has ordered new air-quality standards to measure the most dangerous form of particulate matter, following a public outcry over worsening air pollution.
A cyclist wears a mask as he rides down a street through heavy pollution in Beijing on March 16, 2012. The US embassy's air quality index recorded a high of 378 at midday, which carries a 'hazardous' warning.
Workers stand on a street in Beijing on March 16, 2012. The US embassy's air quality index recorded a high of 378 at midday, which carries a 'hazardous' warning.
Trash clogs up a polluted canal at the edge of Beijing on March 16, 2012. China said that two-thirds of its cities currently fail to meet new air-quality standards introduced this week that are based on the pollutants most harmful to health. Under pressure from a worried Chinese public, the government this week issued revised air-quality targets based on the smallest particulates, which make up much of the country's air pollution.
A man rides his cart down a street through heavy pollution in Beijing on March 16, 2012. The US embassy's air quality index recorded a high of 378 at midday, which carries a 'hazardous' warning.
CHINA-ENVIRONMENT-POLLUTION
