Steel production cut to improve air quality

China’s biggest steel town has halved production almost five weeks ahead of a deadline set by central government, reported China National Radio. Tangshan in Hebei province accounted for 11% of China’s crude steel output in 2016. However, it was told to halve production by November 15 until March 15, 2018. This is to help maintain air quality in northern China over the winter period, which worsens once fossil-powered heating systems are turned on. Beijing is targeting a 15% drop on last year in PM2.5 levels in the industrialised cities that contribute to its own air pollution problem.