Statistics reveal majority of cities fail to meet air quality standards: report

A Renmin University of China (RUC) report shows 13 percent of the 281 cities surveyed had "extremely bad" air quality and 75.8 percent had "bad" air quality from 2005 to 2010.

The report mined air quality statistics from national yearbooks and data from the local governments.

Baoshan in Yunnan Province, Chenzhou in Hunan Province and Chizhou in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region had the most days in which the air pollution index (API) was rated Grade II or better, while Liaoyuan in Jilin Province had the fewest number of days to reach the Grade II standard. Grade II indicates that the daily API was between 51 and 100.

Ma Zhong, dean of the RUC's School of Environment and Natural Resources, told the Global Times that most cities have not achieved air quality standards laid out in the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-2010), adding that the current standards are still not being met, not to mention improving the air quality. "We suggest officials tighten up emissions," Ma said.

The data gleaned by researchers did not include statistics of PM2.5 emissions, which are airborne particulates as small as 2.5 microns.

"Due to statistical limitations, PM2.5 was not included, but we understand their importance," said Song Guojun, an author of the report, adding that the governments should first ensure their city's air quality meets PM10 standards.

The RUC experts haven't commented on the air quality since 2011, citing inadequate statistics. However, a public outcry over poor air quality has turned environmental issues into a key priority for the government, which this week announced it would dramatically increase budgetary spending on improving the country's air, water and soil.