Harbin is taking further measures to reduce air pollution from coal fires this winter by increasing spot checks on vehicles transporting coal into the city, according to a municipal commercial coal fires management meeting held on Sept 27.

The city in Heilongjiang province took strong action in April 2015 to reduce air pollution from coal, banning the sale of low-quality coal and urging businesses to buy high-quality coal.

The increased spot checks will make sure that these measures are strictly enforced, preventing coal that does not meet local regulations from entering the city.

Related departments will also make a coordinated effort to crack down on the use of low-quality coal in the city and punish those violating the regulations.