
A Chinese man became the first to hold the government accountable for the country's choking air pollution, and he filed a lawsuit against his Northern City Environmental Protection Agency.
Specifically, he asked for compensation of 10,000 yuan ($1,635) for masks, air purifiers and treadmills he used to exercise indoors.
Reuters reported that at a meeting in Beijing this weekend, the government's climate change adviser described China's pollution as "unbearable", saying: "It's like a smoker needs to quit smoking right away, or he's at risk for lung cancer.
According to Reuters, the government's policies to reduce air pollution have been damaged by local authorities, who rely on taxes paid by the polluting industry and are often reluctant to implement them.
Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping opted for an unexpected walk Tuesday morning. -
Free mask--
The air pollution in Beijing has been very serious in the past week.