SHIJIAZHUANG - The smog-prone northern Chinese province of Hebei has reported fairly good air quality for 66 percent of days since Oct. 1, the best record in five years, authorities said Tuesday.Hebei, which neighbors Beijing, is home to six of China's 10 most polluted cities, including the provincial capital Shijiazhuang, according to a Ministry of Environmental Protection report analyzing air quality in the first 10 months of this year.Levels of PM2.5, a type of airborne particle smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter, in Hebei have fallen almost 40 percent so far compared with the same period in 2013 to an average density of 64 micrograms per cubic meter, outstripping the 25-percent smog control target set in 2013, said Wang Xiaoli, a provincial environmental protection bureau official.Shijiazhuang has had only five days of heavy pollution since Oct. 1, down 38.6 percent year on year, and the city's hourly PM 2.5 density exceeded 300 per cubic meter only once, said Wang.In November, periods of heavy pollution in Hebei decreased by 1,278 hours, and its hourly peak PM2.5 density plunged 38.3 percent compared with the same period last year, said Wang.Under Chinese air quality standards, an air quality index (AQI) below 100 is defined as a good air quality day. An average daily AQI above 200 indicates heavy air pollution.Hebei recorded the worst air quality in 2013, with only 33 percent percent of days with good air quality, according to Wang.Overhauling polluting companies, dismantling coal-fired boilers, and controlling inferior coal have contributed to the decrease.Winter months are known to have the worst smog in north China with Hebei hit hard as the wind slows and residents turn on coal-fired furnaces for heating. rubber wristbands in bulkwristband sportsmake your own rubber braceletbracelet maker onlinesilicone fidget spinnercustom wrist sweatbands
Russia Vladimir Putin, president of Russia China and Russia should strengthen communication and promote the role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to enhance its influence in global and regional affairs, President Xi Jinping said on Thursday while meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Noting that the SCO is facing new opportunities and challenges, Xi said China and Russia should firmly observe the Shanghai spirit, boost solidarity among SCO members, maintain regional security and stability, and promote pragmatic cooperation. Xi urged the SCO to play a bigger role in Afghanistan's peace and reconciliation process, adding that China, which will assume the SCO rotating presidency after the Astana summit, is willing to maintain close communication and coordination with all parties, including Russia, to achieve further development of the SCO. Given the current complex international situation, sound China-Russia ties are of great significance to the two countries' development and revitalization, as well as to the peace and stability of the world, Xi said. They should strengthen their mutual support on issues relating to each other's core interests, he said. Xi urged further progress in aligning construction of the Belt and Road with the Eurasian Economic Union, which has a single market that includes Russia and other countries. The Chinese president also urged the two countries to deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs. Putin said it is of great significance for Russia and China to maintain frequent high-level interactions. He urged the two sides to step up their communication and coordination in a bid to maintain peace, stability and security in the region and around the world. Russia and China should work together with all sides concerned to boost unity and coordination among the SCO members to enhance the influence of the organization in international affairs, Putin said. The Russian president reiterated his congratulations on the success of the recent Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and said the Belt and Road Initiative has won extensive support in the international community. They also exchanged views on Afghanistan and the Korean Peninsula, and on other international and regional issues.
