'Challenge remains complex': China shares pollution playbook for Delhi; vehicle curbs, industrial overhaul in list

NEW DELHI: As the national capital reels in pollution, Chinese Embassy in India is sharing step-by-step guide to tackle air pollution.

"Both China and India know the struggle with air pollution amid rapid urbanization. While the challenge remains complex, China’s sustained efforts over the past decade have delivered noticeable improvements. In the coming days, we’ll share a bite-sized series exploring how China tackled air pollution — step by step," said Spokesperson of Chinese Embassy in India Yu Jing on Monday.



Then, in the following days, they shared two steps as of Wednesday. Here's are the two steps shared by the Chinese embassy on X:




Step 1: Vehicle emissions control

• Adopt ultra-strict regulations like China 6NI (on par with Euro 6)
• Phase-out retired old, high-emission vehicles
• Curb car growth via license-plate lotteries and odd-even / weekday driving rules
• Build one of the world’s largest metro and bus networks
• Accelerate the shift to electric mobility
• Work with the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region on coordinated emissions cuts

Step 2: Industrial restructuring

• Shut down or remove 3000+ heavy industries. Relocating Shougang, one of China’s largest steelmakers, alone cut inhalable particles by -20%.
• Transform vacated factories into parks, commercial zones, cultural and tech hubs.
• e.g. The former Shougang site became 2022 Winter Olympics venue
• Relieve non-capital functions by relocating wholesale markets, logistics hubs and some educational & medical institutions.
• Coordinate regional integration by shifting general manufacturing to Hebei, while retaining high-value R&D and services in Beijing.

This advice comes as Delhi deals with air quality which has deteriorated to hazardous levels, prompting the city government to roll out stringent pollution-control measures. Several parts of the national capital — including Anand Vihar, Ghazipur, AIIMS and India Gate — recorded air quality in the “very poor” to “severe” categories, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
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