Beijing says it is ready to share its successful strategies that helped clear smog in its major cities as Delhi continues to struggle with poor air quality

New Delhi

China has offered to assist India in tackling its severe air pollution crisis, especially in Delhi and nearby areas. The Chinese Embassy in India stated on X that Beijing is willing to share its successful experience in curbing pollution, having reduced smog levels drastically in cities like Beijing and Shanghai.

Chinese Embassy spokesperson Yu Jing said, “China once struggled with severe smog, too. We stand ready to share our journey toward blue skies — and believe India will get there soon.”

Delhi’s air quality saw a slight improvement on Wednesday morning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 228, down from 291 on November 4. However, the air remained in the “poor” category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Areas like Anand Vihar (279), ITO (274), and Sirifort (263) continued to record unhealthy air levels.

China faced similar pollution challenges a decade ago but launched an aggressive campaign in 2013 to combat the crisis. The government spent over USD 100 billion on measures such as shutting down polluting factories, restricting old vehicles, and transitioning from coal to natural gas. It also launched massive tree-planting drives, adding over 35 billion trees across 12 provinces under the “Great Green Wall” initiative.

These efforts have significantly improved air quality, giving Beijing over 100 more clear-sky days each year compared to a decade ago. China now spends more on forestry per hectare than the US and Europe, showing its commitment to cleaner air and a greener future.