"One crucial thing (to control pollution) is to reinforce the supervision over the industrial sector, especially that related to the disposal of industrial wastes. I mean gases, liquids and solids. Another measure is to stimulate public transportation and set up green attitudes of citizens."

Gaio Doria, 27, from Brazil, second-year doctoral student at Renmin University of China, in socialism with Chinese characteristics

"Everyone has a responsibility to protect our environment. If everyone could put his or her rubbish in the garbage bin, that would be a big help. Beijing's pollution is serious and is caused by millions of vehicles. The government should control the number of vehicles."

Yang Zhifang, 56, cleaner for Yuhehe Property Management Co

"Beijing's air quality is better than before, but not as good as people expected. I'm mostly concerned with potential harm to my family, whether they will suffer from diseases. Now different institutions have different results for air quality testing, so I hope the government releases accurate and credible information to the public."

Yang Qingmu, 27, an employee at a Ministry of Education research institution

"On the one hand, the city should put more effort into green space development, while on the other the government should limit the number of factories in Beijing and nearby provinces, which cause heavy air pollution. Clean energy should be encouraged and the public transportation system should provide more convenient services."

Cai Nie, 23, Tsinghua University graduate student majoring in applied statistics

(China Daily USA 10/14/2013 page9)