City tightens car emissions

The Chinese capital is likely to adopt new vehicle emission permits that could be as strict as those in Europe, in response to concerns over the city's air pollution.

The Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau has released the draft of a new standard, which specifies strict limits for a variety of vehicle emissions, including carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitric oxide and particulate matter.

"The limits specified in the so-called 'Beijing V emission standard' are similar to those used in the current Euro V emission standard," said Li Kunsheng, director of the Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau's vehicle management department.