Anna Hartz
For years, thick smog was part of daily life in Beijing.
Winter days often passed under a gray sky, and breathing clean air felt like a rare luxury. Today, the capital looks very different. Blue skies are now common, and officials point to strict environmental policies as proof of success. Yet just outside the city, the story takes a colder and harsher turn.
The Ban on Coal
Chinese authorities announced earlier this year that Beijing has almost eliminated severe air pollution. Official data shows that last year there was only one day when air quality failed to meet basic standards, writes Digi24. In 2013, there were 58 such days. Levels of fine particles known as PM2.5 have dropped to 27 micrograms per cubic meter, below the government target for the first time.
One major reason for this change was the ban on coal burning in and around Beijing. Coal and firewood were replaced with natural gas across large parts of Hebei province, which surrounds the capital. The switch cleaned the air but raised heating costs for millions of rural residents.
In villages like Dashao, about 80 kilometers from Beijing, many families now struggle to stay warm. Jiang Naifeng, 59, lives with her husband in a small one story house. They have not turned on their heating for two winters, even when temperatures fall below zero. Gas is simply too expensive. Their income is unstable, and every expense matters.
A Higher Price to Pay
When they used coal, the house filled with smoke. Life was unhealthy, but it was affordable. Gas is cleaner, but the monthly bills are far beyond what many farmers can pay. Subsidies helped at first, but many of them are now ending. City residents still benefit from cheap, shared heating systems. Rural households do not.
The gap is clear. Wealthy urban families enjoy clean air and warm homes. Poor villagers wear thick jackets indoors and gather in the sun during the day to stay warm. At night, they often sleep fully clothed.
Some Chinese media outlets have reported on this growing problem, including state owned publications. Several of these reports were later removed. Critics say environmental progress should not come at the cost of basic comfort for the poor.
The government has promised more funding for local support programs. Details remain unclear. For now, clean skies hang over Beijing, while nearby villages pay the price in cold rooms and hard choices.
Sources: The Times, Digi24
