Credit Reuters/Stringer
An unusually toxic smog descended on cities in the far northeast of China, near the border with Russia. Harbin, a city of about 11 million people, was virtually shut down, as were smaller cities in the region like Daqing and Shenyang.
Such destructive air pollution events are common in industrial China, and there are no wide-scale efforts to combat them. In late 1952, a killer smog in London caused thousands of deaths and led to radical environmental legislation.
It seems sensible that if China is to become the cultural and economic center of the world, it must address these environmental concerns. At some point, economic growth is hindered by the damage done to the land and the people who live on it. Also grand landmarks like the San Sophia church pictured will always have fewer tourists if the backdrop is so grim.
Unspoken Politics 
I’ve lived in Beijing for a little over three years. I’ve had more respiratory problems since I moved here, and have also had food poisoning a couple of times. It’s definitely taken a toll on me and tampered my opinion of the place.
Jimmy
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