China closes 375 polluting plants in 2014

China has shut down 375 polluting factories this year as part of the capital's clean air action plan, the city's authorities said.
The closed plants included foundry, plating, building materials, pottery, glass, furniture and dyeing industries, said the Beijing Municipal Commission of Economy and Information Technology, state-run Xinhua News agency quoted an official with the commission as saying.
According to the Beijing Clean Air Action Plan (2013-2017), the city planned to close 300 polluting industrial plants in 2014. The city has closed 663 firms since the plan was unveiled in 2013. By the end of 2016, it will shut 1,200 companies in total.
The Chinese capital, which will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings next month, faces the tough task of treating pollution and improving air quality.
Beijing government issued a list to phase out 105 techniques in polluting industries and 50 versions of outdated production equipment. Beijing aims to cut PM 2.5 (airborne particles measuring less than 2.5 microns in diameter) by 5% year-on- year in 2014, the report said.