China Launches ‘Blue Sky Battle Plan’ to Fight Air Pollution

China’s central government has launched a three-year plan to roll back persistent air pollution that expands targets for reducing lung-damaging airborne particulate pollution to all of the country’s 338 larger cities.

The “Blue Sky Battle Plan” includes reductions in steel and other industrial capacity, reducing reliance on coal, promoting electric vehicles and cleaner transport, shoring up air-pollution warning systems, and increasing inspections of businesses for air pollution infractions. The State Council released the plan on July 3.

The plan also includes a new key air pollution control region with more strict controls in an 11-city area in the provinces of ...