A woman wearing a mask walks along a bridge in smog during a polluted day in Tianjin, China, December 19, 2016.Reuters
China is experiencing some of the worst levels of air pollution that has resulted in heavy smog. As of Wednesday Beijing was under a "red alert" for smog, the highest of four levels and a "yellow alert" for fog. Some other areas are still under red alert for both smog and fog. The authorities ordered the highways closed in and around the city due to smog crisis.
Several leading airports have cancelled flights as China's weather bureau warned of visibility of less than 50 m in some areas. The Beijing Evening News reported more than 2,000 tourists were stranded on a cruise ship for two extra days near the port of Tianjin. Until Monday, the ship was prevented from docking due to smog.
Northern China is quite known for pollution alerts, especially during bitterly cold winters. Colder temperatures mean more coal is burned to heat homes, which exacerbates the nation's air pollution problem. But, this time the smog alert is at the second-highest orange only and has raised several serious questions.
This is the third year when China is fighting the pollution war and is trying to reverse the damage that has been done to its skies, soil and water after decades of untrammelled economic growth.
A woman walks past a bridge among heavy smog during a polluted day in Fuyang, Anhui province, China, January 3, 2017.Reuters
A cyclist wears a face mask on a polluted day in Beijing, China, January 3, 2017.Reuters
A woman sits on the back of a motorcycle in smog during a polluted day in Liaocheng, Shandong province, China, December 19, 2016.Reuters
A duck is seen at the Old Summer Palace in smog on a polluted day as a red alert issued for air pollution in Beijing, China December 17, 2016.Reuters
People wearing masks dance at a square among heavy smog during a polluted day in Fuyang, Anhui province, China, January 3, 2017.Reuters
A police officer wears a face mask as he keeps watch in front of Tiananmen Gate on a polluted day in Beijing, China, January 3, 2017.Reuters
Paramilitary police officer keeps watch in Tiananmen Square on a polluted day in Beijing, China, January 3, 2017.Reuters
A man smokes as he rides in smog during polluted day in Beijing.Reuters
A street food vendor waits for customers as heavy smog blankets Shengfang, in Hebei province, on an extremely polluted day with red alert issued, China December 19, 2016.
The Oriental Pearl TV Tower is seen amid heavy smog at Pudong financial district in Shanghai, China November 18, 2016.Reuters
A construction site is pictured in smog on a polluted day as a red alert for air pollution is issued in Beijing, China, December 16, 2016.Reuters
Buildings are seen in smog on a polluted day as a red alert for air pollution is issued in Beijing, China, December 16, 2016.Reuters
People wait for the bus on an extremely polluted day with red alert issued, in Langfang, Hebei province, China December 19, 2016.Reuters
Vehicles drive on the 5th Ring Road in smog during morning rush hour on the fourth day after a red alert was issued for heavy air pollution in Beijing, China, December 19, 2016.Reuters
Artist Liu Bolin wearing a vest with 24 mobile phones walks in smog as he live broadcasts air pollution in the city on the fourth day after a red alert was issued for heavy air pollution in Beijing, China, December 19, 2016.Reuters
Sun is seen in smog during sunset on a polluted day as a red alert for air pollution is issued in Beijing, China, December 16, 2016.Reuters
People sit on a bench at a park in heavy smog during a polluted day in Beijing, China, December 18, 2016. Picture taken December 18, 2016.Reuters
People are seen on a street in smog during polluted day in Shenyang, Liaoning province, China, December 18, 2016.Reuters
Buildings are seen in heavy smog during a polluted day in Jinan, Shandong province.Reuters
