Beijing closes 185 polluting firms

Beijing closed or relocated 185 firms in the first half of 2015 as part of China’s efforts to combat air pollution, officials said on Friday.

China’s capital city (pictured) is expected to shut down or move 300 companies by the end of this year, after a meeting on Friday addressed Beijing’s economic situation in 2015.

With the aim of solving urban problems including congestion and air pollution, Beijing has also closed 60 wholesale markets and upgraded another ten markets to reduce congestion.

An estimated 8,500 booths in wholesale markets will be relocated by the end of the year.

Relocating polluting firms away from Beijing has become a priority in the coordinated efforts between Beijing and Tianjin municipalities and Hebei Province.