Blue skies are scarce in Beijing. Pollution in China may be tame compared to other countries, but it is bad enough to put people at risk for lung cancer. After controversy involving the U.S. embassy’s @BeijingAir Twitter feed, the city now reports the concentration of particulate matter of 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5). Residents are more informed, but real change is needed; the city environmental bureau has just released a five-year plan to improve air quality.
Weibo user @bjshi (“Beijing Things”) posted a composite image of a Beijing vista from September 30 to October 6, which shows two clear days and five smoggy ones (click image for full view):
The China Open wrapped up yesterday at the National Tennis Center at the Olympic Green under those gray Beijing skies. Cartoonist Biantai Lajiao (“Rebel Pepper”) explains why he “quit” the tournament:
Learn more about air pollution (and tennis) in China from CDT.
Want more cartoons? Check out CDT Chinese’s Sunday series Empire Illustrated (图说天朝).
