Snow reduces pollution in Beijing

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)

Snow fell across parts of China on Sunday (January 20) which eased smog levels nation's capital, state media, CCTV reported.

On Saturday (January 19), pollution levels rose as high as 400 in some parts in the city. A level above 300 is considered hazardous, while the World Health Organisation recommends a daily level of no more than 20.

The reading was still lower than last weekend, when it hit a staggering 755.

Residents in Beijing welcomed the snow which started falling on Saturday night.

Beijing is to unveil unprecedented new rules governing how China's capital reacts to hazardous air pollution, the official Xinhua news agency said, as deteriorating air quality threatens to become a rallying point for wider political dissatisfaction.