Regions vow to step up smog control

Beijing, Hebei and Tianjin will improve monitoring network to crack down on discharges of pollutants

Beijing will double the number of air-quality monitoring stations and mobilize more monitoring vehicles to facilitate forecasts and promote effective smog control, the capital's deputy mayor said on Thursday.

Beijing lifted its first red alert on Thursday at noon after long-awaited wind blew away pollutants and brought back blue sky.