A week before the NPC session began, Beijing was choking in hazardous levels smog, once again highlighting the urgent need for action on the environment. In Beijing’s group discussion during two sessions, the NPC deputy and Beijing’s vice Mayor says Beijing has taken measures to combat the smoggy weather.
Beijing vice mayor Li Shixiang said, "Beijing has stipulated 84 measures to protect environment and clean air in accordance with the nation's requirements. We will implement them one by one. In cleaning up the air, we need to reduce emissions, controlling car growth and reducing dust."
Meanwhile, Li says to ease congestion on the roads, Beijing has cut the number of new license plates this year from 240,000 to 150,000. He says Beijing will also expand public transport. The total length of the subway was 465 kilometers last year. It will reach 660 kilometers by the end of this year. He referred Beijing's plans to change the prices of subway tickets.
