A government work report which highlights severe air pollution and stresses the urgency of improving air quality in Shanxi was recently published. Deputies to Shanxi provincial People's Congress and members of CPPCC Shanxi Committee put forward their advice and proposals on pollution control during the Shanxi's two sessions from Jan 13 to 18.

"The smog across Shanxi is from industrial pollution discharged by local industries," said Wang Xiaoe, a member of CPPCC Shanxi Committee.

She suggested that Shanxi transform traditional industries with high resource usage into sustainable ones. Heavy polluters should be closed to improve air quality.

"It's a long-term challenge for Shanxi to eliminate smog as getting rid of dependence on energy industries cannot be done in one stroke," she said.

Yang Xiaofeng, another CPPCC member, attached importance to environmentally friendly commuting in reducing the smog.

"Car exhaust fumes are one of the major sources of heavy air pollution. People should be encouraged to choose public transportation when commuting to reduce emissions of waste gases by vehicles," said Yang.

Apart from promoting green industries, supervision and punishment of acts polluting the environment needs to be strengthened, according to Zhao Jinrong, a deputy to the congress.

Shanxi approved the plan on smog control during the two sessions in January. In 2017, the province will further the management of its energy industries, such as the coal and mining sectors, and try to popularize central heating using clean energy instead of burning coal.