Beijing's average concentration of PM2.5 reached 32 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023, meeting the national standards for three consecutive years, said the municipal ecology and environment bureau.
Following continuous decreases for almost 10 straight years, the concentration of PM2.5 particulate matter in China declined to below 30 micrograms per cubic meter in 2022.
The city's average concentration of PM2.5 was 28 micrograms per cubic meter in the January-August period, said the Beijing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau. The reading in August was 19 micrograms per cubic meter, the lowest for a single month this year.
The country reduced PM2.5 concentrations in cities above the prefecture level that had missed reaching the national standard of 35 micrograms per cubic meter.
The National Meteorological Center issued a blue alert for dust storms - the lowest level of its ratings - for most northern areas in China on Thursday, warning that as a result the region will remain dusty next week.