(Yicai Global) Sept. 28 -- Chinese authorities aim to reduce air pollution in the capital Beijing for the imminent fall and winter seasons.

The government aims to reduce PM2.5, which are particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers and a key gauge of air pollution, by 3 percent in Beijing and the nearby Tianjin municipality and Hebei province for the period from October to March, according to a policy document.

Although air quality in these regions improved during the spring and summer periods, the effects of pollution control have not been long-lasting and they still face a grim situation ahead. The weather conditions of this winter are expected to be generally worse than those of last year, the ministry said.

The policy document requires governmental administrations at different levels within these regions to strictly restrict the production capabilities of industries with high energy consumption, such as the steel and construction sectors.

For steel, the specific requirements set an overcapacity reduction target of more than 10 million tons in Hebei Province, 2.3 million tons and 3.6 million tons for Shanxi and Shandong Province, respectively. The reduction also includes the dismantling of some blast furnaces, coke ovens and equipment this year.

The policy document also prohibits the construction of chemical industry parks and steel projects within these regions.

The steel, building materials, coking, foundry, non-ferrous metals, chemical industry and other highly polluting industries are also required to stop production during winter.

Editor: William Clegg