Mandy新聞英語閱讀

Chinese 1)air pollution
Clearing the air?
Authorities in the capital respond to public pressure

Jan 14th 2012 | BEIJING |From the print edition –Courtesy of The Economist

IT WAS China's former leader, Deng Xiaoping, who urged his countrymen to “2)seek truth from facts”. But for the many in China who 3)distrust government data, that 4)sage advice can be hard to follow.

In the case of official reports about the improving air quality in Chinese cities, however, taking Mr Deng's advice is easier. To 5)evaluate a 6)specious government report of yet another “7)blue-sky day”, you need only look out the window, 8)sniff the air, or—for the brave—take a deep breath. In Beijing recently the facts have been speaking for themselves. 9)Smog is often so bad that residents cannot see buildings just across the street, schools cancel outdoor activities and the airport cannot operate.