Draft regulation raises fines for polluters

Violators of Beijing's air pollution rule may see penalties above 1 million yuan

Editor's note: In Beijing's five-year air pollution control plan unveiled in September, the city said it aims to cut air pollution by a quarter by the end of 2017 (based on 2012 levels). The government plans to inject 200 billion yuan to 300 billion yuan to support different measures to fulfill its targets, including stronger punishments for violations, a congestion tax, promoting clean energy, improving public transport and curbing companies that pollute the air.

Beijing is weighing whether to remove its upper limit on fines for violating air pollution regulations next year.