Beijing moves to curb smog

To curb the air pollution at hazardous levels, Beijing started emergency response measures on Sunday.

Outdoor sports activities for primary and middle schools are ordered to be halted from Sunday to Tuesday in extreme pollution areas, including Tongzhou, Miyun, Daxing, Mentougou and Fangshan districts.

The Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau says construction was suspended at 28 building sites and 54 businesses reduced their emissions by 30 percent.

Fourteen inspection teams were dispatched to 14 districts and counties to oversee the pollution-reduction measures on Sunday.

Doctors say the number of patients with respiratory disease has jumped sharply in the past few days.