Cold front dispersing Beijing smog, more efforts urged(2)

Government authorities have launched traffic control measures and suspended factory production in recent days in order to reduce the smog.

In Beijing, construction was suspended at 28 construction sites and 54 businesses reduced their emissions by 30 percent amid the smoggy weather, with Beijing Hyundai Motor Company halting production on Sunday.

In Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong province, the local government on Tuesday cut the number of both government and private vehicles on the road in half according to their license plate numbers, allowing even-numbered license plate owners to drive on some days and odd-number drivers to drive on others. The measure is in effect until further notice.

In the city of Changchun in northeast China's Jilin province, 15 plants were required to take corrective measures to standardize their emission systems, while another 28 plants were required to limit or reduce emissions.

However, experts believe the measures will only provide temporary relief.

Zhang Weiguo, a professor at the Shandong Academy of Social Sciences, said the lingering smog has provided a perfect opportunity to challenge large- and medium-sized cities' emergency response systems.

"Judging from the measures taken, authorities have failed to prepare properly in terms of responding to a weather-related emergency," said Zhang.

Zhang urged government authorities to establish a scientific program aimed at creating a more effective response to air pollution.