Sand storm sweeps across northern China, planes aground

The sand that is blown over the city comes from the deserts in the west of the country and even reaches the north of Japan. Large-scale planting projects in the desert regions have meant that the annually recurring sandstorms are generally less severe than in the past.

But this year, twelve provinces are affected by the sandstorm. The air quality in Chinese cities is generally already poor, with regular smog from the ubiquitous heavy industry and coal-fired power stations.

The Chinese Communist Party has pledged efforts to cut CO2 emissions by a fifth over the next five years.

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