China objects to US tweeting on air quality
Beijing
Wednesday 06 June 2012
Related articles
China told foreign embassies yesterday to stop publishing their own reports on air quality in the country, escalating its objections to a popular US Embassy Twitter feed that tracks pollution in smoggy Beijing.
Wu Xiaoqing, an environmental minister, said that only the Chinese government is authorised to monitor and publish air quality information.
China has long taken issue with the US Embassy's postings of Beijing's air quality on a Twitter feed with more than 19,000 followers. The US Embassy readings are based on a monitoring station within embassy grounds, and pollution levels are rated according to a US Environmental Protection Agency standard that is more stringent than the one used by the Chinese government.
The embassy yesterday reported 47 micrograms of fine particulate matter in the air and said the level was "unhealthy for sensitive groups."
From the blogs
Dish of the Day: Short & Sweet
I know Dan Lepard nabbed it first for his wonderful book on baking but I’m eternally jealous, as it ...
Friday Book Design Blog: Blurb special
Let's talk book blurbs, those quotes you get, usually from other writers, that are meant to entice y...
Syria’s cannibal rebel defends himself
Much has been written this past week about a Syrian rebel named Khalid al-Hamad, who goes by the nom...
Enslaved to maize: Why we need to re-think Malawi’s agricultural future
Maize is a political crop that has essentially enslaved Malawi as a nation. Despite being the staple...
- 1 Stoke City investigate 'religious abuse' after 'pig's head is found in Kenwyne Jones' locker'
- 2 Gove’s lesson: spare the comma, spoil the child
- 3 Grace Dent on TV: Extreme Couponing, My Strange Addiction, and Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, TLC
- 4 You thought Ryanair's attendants had it bad? Wait 'til you hear about their pilots
- 5 Join Ryanair! See the world! But we'll only pay you for nine months a year
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
iJobs General
PHP/ Drupal Developer - £35k - WC
£30000 - £40000 per annum + BENS: Progressive Recruitment: Drupal Developer A ...
C# WEB DEVELOPER
£45000 - £50000 per annum + bens: Progressive Recruitment: C# WEB DEVELOPER Le...
WPF Developer (C#, VB.Net) - North East - 6 Months
£240 - £260 per day: Progressive Recruitment: WPF Developer (C#, VB.Net) North...
KS2 PPA teacher
£85 - £120 per day: Randstad Education Cheshire: KS2 teacher needed to do PPA ...
The price of pacifism
Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond
Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?
One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned
Gordon Ramsay's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save
Why bitters are back on the bar
The 10 Best barbecues


Comments