Home / Environment / China's Air Quality Hits Record Highs
China's Air Quality Hits Record Highs
28 Feb
Summary
- PM2.5 density fell 20% while GDP grew 30% in five years.
- Number of cities meeting air quality standards increased significantly.
- Beijing's PM2.5 levels dropped dramatically to 27 mcg/cu m in 2025.
China's air quality has achieved its best recorded levels during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025). This improvement occurred concurrently with a 30 percent expansion in the country's GDP, showcasing a successful balance between economic growth and pollution control.
The national average density of PM2.5 particulate matter decreased by 20 percent over these five years. Furthermore, the number of cities meeting national air quality standards rose substantially from 206 to 246. Upgraded standards for major air pollutants are set to be implemented starting March 1, with transitional limits for PM2.5 until 2030.
Beijing serves as a prime example, with its average annual PM2.5 density plummeting from 89.5 mcg/cu m in 2013 to 27 mcg/cu m in 2025, hailed as a flagship achievement. The country also recorded its longest duration of good air quality days, exceeding 90 percent for 97 consecutive days in 2025.
