Revision Placed on the Agenda: Multiple Considerations Behind Stricter Air Quality Standards (AI Translation)

修订提上日程，更严格空气质量标准的多重考量

In 2025, northern China continues to face significant air quality challenges. On March 22, a new wave of dust storms swept through regions such as Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Beijing, causing sharp increases in PM10 concentrations and affecting residents' daily lives. These dust events are primarily attributed to above-average temperatures and reduced precipitation in Mongolia and northern China, conditions that are intensified by more active cold air fronts. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), climate change may turn some Asian regions into new hotspots for dust storms, as warming deserts and steppes result in less snow cover and stronger surface winds, potentially increasing the intensity and frequency of such storms in March[para. 1].

Spring 2023 also saw multiple sandstorms in China’s north, with meteorological experts blaming higher spring temperatures and looser soils—both linked to climate change—for increasing dust storm risks. As the causes of air pollution and climate change are closely tied to fossil fuel combustion, addressing both simultaneously is crucial. Efforts to reduce fossil fuel emissions not only improve air quality but also help mitigate long-term climate change[para. 2].

In 2024, China's annual PM2.5 concentration dropped by 2.7% year-on-year, achieving the 2025 target of a 10% reduction from 2020 one year ahead of schedule. Despite this progress, cities like Shanghai experienced smog events in early 2025, sparking public concern over air quality and increasing debate about whether limits should be tightened beyond the current annual PM2.5 standard of 35 μg/m³, which is stricter than India and Egypt but still much looser than the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of 5 μg/m³[para. 3].

The Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) is revising the ambient air quality standards, with new standards expected to play a key role in protecting public health and driving further pollution controls, especially regarding PM2.5. Stricter standards would also push for cleaner energy structures, contributing to a synergistic effect with climate action goals[para. 4].

The need for tighter standards arises from the WHO's 2021 update, which halved its PM2.5 guideline to 5 μg/m³, citing significant health impacts even at low concentrations. China’s current standard (35 μg/m³) is behind the US, EU, and far looser than the latest WHO recommendation. PM2.5, recognized as a severe health threat, increases all-cause mortality by 8% per 10 μg/m³ increment. Though most Chinese cities now meet national standards, further progress is stalled by the lack of stricter limits[para. 5][para. 6].

Enhanced PM2.5 standards would reduce disease, improve health, and reduce healthcare costs while boosting productivity and sustainable growth. Since air and carbon pollution share sources, stronger measures will also accelerate the clean energy transition and help China achieve its "dual carbon" goals. Tighter standards are seen as pivotal for driving air quality gains in China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030)[para. 7].

Recent improvements are notable, but nearly a quarter of cities—such as those in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and Fenwei Plain regions—still fail to meet standards, mostly due to heavy industry. Some regions, like the Yangtze River Delta, have experienced reversals in air quality progress amid relaxed policies. The trend highlights the ongoing need for regionally tailored and strictly enforced governance[para. 8][para. 9][para. 10].

Stricter standards would yield significant health and economic gains. For example, reducing PM2.5 to 25, 10, or 5 μg/m³ could prevent 300,000–1.18 million premature deaths annually, with related health benefits estimated at 1–4% of China’s GDP. Success stories, like Chengdu’s focus on vehicle electrification and industrial upgrades, highlight effective approaches[para. 11][para. 12].

Going forward, refining standards, optimizing industry and transport structures, enhancing regional collaboration, and integrating health and environmental policies are crucial. Upholding strict standards aligns China with global best practices and supports progress toward sustainability and public health protection[para. 13][para. 14].