Southwest China's Guizhou province recently issued a three-year action plan for improving air quality as well as details of several related measures.

According to the plan, by the end of 2020, the air quality in the downtown areas of nine cities (or prefectures) and Guian New Area is expected to reach the secondary standard, and the ratio of days with good air quality at the county level and above places should remain above 95 percent.

The total amount of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in the province will be reduced by more than seven percent by the end of 2020 and major pollution such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and respirable particulate matter (PM10) will be effectively controlled.

In order to accomplish those goals the province listed a number of measures to adjust and optimize the industrial structure, build a clean low-carbon and efficient energy system, implement non-point source pollution control, and carry out major special actions.

It intends to speed up the upgrading of oil quality by supplying a full range of automotive gasoline and diesel from 2019 to more strictly control the production, sale and use of fuel for non-standard vehicles such as ships and completely eliminate black gas stations.

In addition, Guizhou will further improve environmental supervision and law enforcement by issuing more strict regulations, including those governing enterprises which create illegal production waste or produce or sell of unqualified motor vehicles as well as vehicle emissions.

Local governments in Guizhou will also be under strict control and management of the provincial government. Those whose work is weak and irresponsible will be required to improve in a timely manner.