Beijing and neighboring regions in north China are likely to be shrouded by a new round of smog from Saturday, days after a cold front blew away the worst air pollution of the year.
"Pollutant discharge and unfavorable weather" will cause the smog, expected to last until Wednesday, the Ministry of Environmental Protection predicted in a circular late on Friday.
The dominant pollutant will be PM2.5, particles with a diameter smaller than 2.5 micrometers, said the ministry.
It issued an emergency notice to local governments in the region on Friday, urging them to be alert to smog and provide warnings for the public.
The smog which just dissipated prompted the Beijing municipal government to issue its first orange alert, the second-highest level which means construction sites must stop dust-raising activities while the elderly and the children should stay indoors.
The notorious air pollution suffered by Beijing and its surrounding areas is caused in large part by vehicle exhaust emissions and coal burning in heavy industries and municipal heating in winter.
