Beijing issues air pollution warning ahead of Winter Olympics

Beijing warns of heavy air pollution during Winter Olympics. 

The Winter Olympics are scheduled to start on 4 February 2022. 

However, China’s Environment Ministery Spokesman Lin Youbin warned at a press conference that the games coincide with the end of winter and the start of spring in northern China when weather conditions are ‘extremely unfavourable.’

Lin Youbin said: ‘When heavy pollution is predicted, all localities will launch emergency plans.’

The capital declared a ‘war on pollution’ after winning the Olympics bid in 2015. 

Steel plants around the city were ordered to cut production by half and coal stoves in 25 million households across northern China were replaced with gas or electric burners. 

However, air quality is still far below World Health Organisation standards, with the city reaching air pollution standards for the first time ever earlier this month.