Beijing to paint skies Apec blue for second world war anniversary parade celebrating victory over Japan
Capital will team up with neighbours to clamp down on air pollution ahead of September's 70th anniversary event
Beijing is aiming for "Apec blue" skies over the capital for second world war commemorations in September, with plans to revive tough air pollution restrictions introduced for the international summit last year.
Chen Tian, head of Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau, said the bureau would "refer" to measures taken for November's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum to ensure good air quality for the 70th anniversary of the end of the second world war on September3, reported on Thursday.
The day has been declared a public holiday and will feature a military parade in Tiananmen Square. It is also a holiday in Hong Kong.
Chen said a panel of scientists would draft plans and advise on measures. "Beijing and neighbouring provinces and cities will join efforts to ensure [good] air quality," he was quoted as saying.
In the run-up to the summit last year, Beijing spearheaded an emissions-control campaign in Tianjin , Hebei , Shanxi , Inner Mongolia and Shandong provinces. Authorities across the region monitored air quality and rolled out a series of measures - including shutting down factories - to cut pollution.
