China insists war on air pollution will continue despite slowing economy
Li Gao, a high ranking Chinese climate change official, has affirmed that the country will not relax its anti-smog campaign regardless of the economic strains posed by the trade war with the US. China experienced its slowest quarterly growth rate from July to September 2018 since 2009. This statement counters recent remarks by China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment that efforts to eradicate air pollution were being hindered by the declining economic growth. Since then, a spokesperson for the ministry has also claimed that China will take a more pragmatic approach due to the economic circumstances, but the fight against pollution would nevertheless remain high on the country’s agenda. The spokesperson further claimed that air pollution would likely increase over the winter season, but this was attributed to weather conditions rather than decreased efforts to curb pollution.
According to Greenpeace research, winter weather actually improves air quality in Beijing as a result of the incoming gusts of cold wind – known as cold fronts. Hence, the BBC notes that “Cold fronts bring in fresher, cleaner air from Siberia, as well as disrupting the still conditions and high pressure that helps trap polluted air close to the ground”. Rainy weather is also beneficial as it carries away pollutants from the air. Hence, it may be arguable that if Northern China does experience rainfall or cold fronts, air quality will worsen.
