Beijing spent $ 16 billion to brighten the sky

Chinese officials will spend 100 billion yuan ($ 16 billion) to address air pollution in Beijing City.

Haze often covers Beijing and many other Chinese cities in the past few months. Waste from factories and motor vehicles is the main cause of haze. The World Health Organization warns that the level of air pollution in Beijing has exceeded hundreds of times compared to the safety threshold. The media and people were angry at the current air pollution situation.

The buildings in Beijing were engulfed in smoke on February 17. (Photo: Xinhua News Agency)

China Daily reported that the Beijing city government announced that it would spend 100 billion yuan to resolve pollution in the next three years. This money will be used to upgrade the waste pipeline system (total length of 1,290km) and 20 garbage treatment plants, build 5 garbage incinerators and 47 garbage recycling facilities. In addition, the Beijing government will also suppress illegal construction and use of land.

"A series of illegal builders will be destroyed next year," said Wang Wei, deputy mayor of Beijing.

Mr. Wang Anshun, Mayor of Beijing, called on the government to allow private participation in environmental protection efforts.

The China Meteorological Administration announced that the frequency and density of smoke across the country in March reached the highest level compared to March in 51 years. The total time for haze to appear in March is 3.3 days - 1.1 days longer than in other March.