No easy and simple solution. Cars are definitely a major factor, and so are emissions from factories and coal-fired and other fossil-fuel power plants (note that large scale hydroelectric projects -a legacy of the 70s and 80s which saw the construction of the Three Gorge project- are not a sustainable solution because while their reduce direct air pollution they create other problems, but small run-of-the-river plants are virtually impact-less). Reduction at source is a good start, and so are large investments in clean air technologies that reduce significantly industrial emissions at source. Better fuel efficiency and tighter emissions for vehicles, including the use of alternative fuels such as hydrogen and electric power and hybrids, etc. Long list…In the end, most of our air pollution problems results from the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, natural gas, and gasoline.

Dust from desertic areas (Gobi desert China's case) is another problem that is closely related to global climate change, overgrazing, over harvesting of wood, bad land use practices, and most importantly large water withdrawals for irrigation and other industrial uses.

In China as elsewhere, shifting from traditional energy to green energy would reduce reliance on fossil fuel imports, domestic air pollution and safety risks from coal mines, and would have a direct and positive economic impact particularly on rural areas as wind energy and biomass would likely be the obvious place to start. Using green energy also reduce energy economic security risks and rapid depletion of natural resources.

All of this sounds nice, but what can we do individually? It sounds counter-intuitive and backwards in a rapidly developing country like China, but basically it boils down to consuming less, ditching the Audi dream and taking back Daddy's old Flying Pigeon, reducing, recycling, re-using…Easier said than done, I sometimes take my car to go to the gym…

I think it's not too late to overcome these problems, but actions have to be taken now. Not only on air pollution but water and land as well. It pays off to spend more now because overall you quickly cause a ten-fold reduction (my guess, I'm not an economist) in environmental and health costs, not to mention the quality of life in both urban and rural areas.

Wow, I actually agree with Dr.Phil this time.

I think he has said it very well.

Another thing that Chinese government can do (better than a Democratic country) is that the government can mandate "green" initiatives or policies. If they choose to go green, the rest of country will follow to an extent. So, they have to start policies that encourage clean energy and energy saving.

beijing tried to control the number of cars on the road
like on even days only license plate with last digit even number gets to drive
(ex. on 4/4/08, only cards ending in 0, 2, 4, 8 gets to drive)

then odd days only the license plate with last digit odd number gets to drive

they tested that for three days and air got much better LOL

and your last statement is really dumb (like lack of education kind of dumb)

they can control the air quality
in fact, they are ble to control the numbers of cars if they really wanted to, but the thing is, major cooperations who own cars wont like it, b/c that means less sales LOL
so it all comes down to money LOL

it's like usa is able to come up with great public transportation service and even cars that are gas efficient, but they cant due to all the big car cooperations complaining whining etc.