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China steps up environment checks amid fears National Day parade will be marred by smog
- Pollution across northern region of Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei and surrounds this week may linger, and high humidity is likely to exacerbate the problem
- Factories will come under more pressure as ministry sends out inspectors
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Beijing’s all-important National Day parade on October 1 – marking the 70th anniversary of Communist Party rule – could be shrouded in smog, with pollution across the country’s north this week expected to linger.
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And with the forecast not looking good, the environment ministry said its inspectors would step up checks this week to enforce emission reduction measures in cities around the Chinese capital – adding to pressure on factories.
The northern region of Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei province and surrounds is expected to be blanketed in haze from Wednesday to Sunday, and unfavourable conditions mean the pollution could continue into early October, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment said in a statement late on Monday.
High humidity was likely to exacerbate the problem, and cities in the nearby provinces of Henan, Shandong, Jiangsu and Anhui could see severe pollution this week and next, the ministry said.
The lavish military parade and other events planned for National Day will be significant for the Chinese government to show the country’s achievements and economic strength as well as President Xi Jinping’s political stature – and Beijing is keen to ensure that nothing goes wrong, with tightened security in place across the country as well as in cyberspace.
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