Beijing chokes on smog as China tries to balance industrial recovery and greener growth

Beijing and much of the northern China have been blanketed in choking smog since Sunday, as heavy industry steps up production to help with the country’s economic recovery.

Beijing sounded the alarm about severe air pollution and stopped all outdoor activities in schools and kindergartens on Wednesday, forecasting a “medium to severe pollution process” until Monday in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei and neighbouring areas.