The photo taken on December 16, 2016 shows buildings shrouded in smog in Beijing. The city has issued its first red alert for air pollution this year, as a new bout of heavy smog is forecast to hit the city Friday, local environmental protection authorities said Thursday. Approved by the municipal government, the red alert will be activated 8 pm Friday and is expected to be lifted on December 21 when the air quality in the city improves. China National Environmental Monitoring Center said during the period, Beijing and neighboring Tianjin Municipality and Hebei Province will suffer a heavy air pollution, which will also affect Shandong and Henan provinces. (Photo/CFP)
