China has extended an offer to assist India in addressing its escalating air pollution crisis, particularly in Delhi and its neighboring regions.
In a post on X, the Chinese Embassy in India expressed Beijing’s willingness to share its experience in combating pollution, highlighting its success in significantly reducing smog levels in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai.
Having once battled similar air quality challenges, China implemented a series of aggressive measures to curb pollution — including relocating industries, tightening vehicle emission norms, and expanding the use of clean energy.
Chinese Embassy spokesperson Yu Jing wrote on X, “China once struggled with severe smog, too. We stand ready to share our journey toward blue skies — and believe India will get there soon.”
Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality showed a slight improvement on Wednesday morning, with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recording an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 228 at 9 a.m. The figure marked a drop from 291 recorded at 4 p.m. on November 4. Despite the modest improvement, Delhi’s air quality continued to fall within the ‘poor’ category, impacting several parts of the capital.
CPCB data revealed that Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 279, while Lodhi Road reported 213, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). ITO recorded an AQI of 274, with other key locations — including RK Puram (223), Jahangirpuri (235), Chandni Chowk (228), and Sirifort (263) — also reporting ‘poor’ air quality levels.
China’s experience in pollution control began in earnest in 2013, when the government launched a multiyear, USD 100 billion campaign to clean its air. Authorities cracked down on polluting factories, phased out older vehicles, and promoted a transition from coal to natural gas. According to The New York Times, Beijing officials say the city now enjoys over 100 additional clear-sky days each year compared to the start of the campaign.
Additionally, China undertook massive afforestation and reforestation drives, such as the “Great Green Wall” initiative, planting over 35 billion trees across 12 provinces. Citing Earth.org, the report noted that China’s forestry spending per hectare surpassed that of the United States and Europe, tripling the global average.
