But even greater efforts will be needed to maintain the post-cleanup and, hopefully, improved environment
Coordinated actions were emphasized by the State Council as one of the 10 measures for air pollution control in its meeting at the weekend.
China owes a huge debt to the environment and has a long way to go before realizing the "beautiful China" dream. We must work together to achieve that goal.
The spread of pollution following China's industry transfer from the developed eastern region to the less-developed central and western regions has become a new headache that cries for attention, particularly on a day meant to promote a low-carbon lifestyle.
Now that large swathes of China are frequently shrouded in smog people may no longer believe that it is a sporadic extreme weather condition that befalls certain regions.
The lingering poor air quality in Beijing and many other cities is a reminder of the serious challenge of pollution and the need to make greater efforts to protect the environment.
China's rapid modernization has narrowed much of the gap with the developed world. But it has sharply widened the gap on the environmental front.
Neighboring Beijing and Tianjin municipalities, as well as Hebei province, should organize joint efforts to treat heavy air pollution in the region.
With the public counting on regional joint prevention and control to solve the problem of airborne pollution, an environmental expert says the system is still in the early stages and may not cure the problem.
This winter, the air quality over the north China plain has been record breaking - but not in a good way.
To solve Beijing's severe air pollution, the authorities should take short-term and long-term measures.
The government should cut emissions not only from construction site, enterprises and boilers, but also control emissions from the automobiles.
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