Heavy smog hits Beijing: report

As pollution enveloped Beijing, the capital of China, over the weekend, authorities urged residents to stay inside and leave their cars at home, Chinese media reported.

A news report said that at night Jan. 12 in Beijing, PM2.5 particles were 993 micrograms per cubic meter, nearly 40-fold from the WHO's 25 micrograms.

Sun Jisong, chief meteorologist at the Beijing Meteorological Bureau, said the heavy smog is expected to continue until Jan. 16, according to the Global Times affiliated with the People's Daily.

Culprits of the serious air pollution include vehicles, factories and coal emissions from heating, the tabloid newspaper said.

Park Sae-jin swatchsjp@ajunews.com