As Delhi continues to choke under layers of toxic smog, China on Wednesday extended an open offer to assist India in combating its worsening air pollution crisis. With the capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) oscillating within the “poor” category, China’s outreach comes at a time when Delhi and its surrounding regions are witnessing yet another season of hazardous air.

The Chinese Embassy in India posted on X, expressing willingness to share the country’s expertise in pollution control—expertise gained through a decade-long struggle against severe smog in Beijing, Shanghai, and other major cities. Embassy spokesperson Yu Jing wrote, “China once struggled with severe smog, too. We stand ready to share our journey toward blue ones — and believe India will get there soon.” The message underscored China’s confidence in the tangible progress it achieved through large-scale, aggressive policy implementation.

China’s offer stands out because it has, over the last decade, transformed from one of the world’s most polluted nations to a country that has made measurable improvements in urban air quality. This transformation, while far from complete, provides valuable lessons for developing nations facing similar challenges.

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How China Fought Its Pollution Crisis

China’s struggle with air pollution peaked around 2013, when Beijing often resembled a grey, toxic haze rather than a capital city. Pollution levels were so severe that residents routinely wore masks and air purifiers became household necessities. The crisis prompted the Chinese government to declare what it called a “war on pollution.”

Here are the key measures China took:

1. Massive Shift Away From Heavy Polluting Industries

The government relocated or shut down thousands of factories surrounding major urban centres. Industries with high emissions were forced to retrofit or relocate, particularly in Beijing and surrounding Hebei province, known for steel production.

2. Crackdown on High-Emitting Vehicles

Millions of older vehicles were removed from Chinese roads. Strict vehicular emission norms were introduced, and major cities restricted car registrations and implemented alternate-day driving rules.

3. Transition From Coal to Natural Gas

Beijing undertook an extensive fuel transition campaign, replacing coal-fired heating systems with natural gas, even subsidising the switch for thousands of households. The shift reduced particulate matter emissions significantly.

4. Investment Worth Over USD 100 Billion

According to The New York Times, China spent more than USD 100 billion on a multi-year strategy to clean the air. The results were gradual but noticeable. Beijing now enjoys over 100 additional “blue sky days” per year compared to the early 2010s.

5. Afforestation on an Unprecedented Scale

The country launched some of the world’s largest afforestation and reforestation campaigns, including the Great Green Wall. More than 35 billion trees were planted across 12 provinces. China’s forestry expenditure per hectare eventually exceeded that of the US and Europe, and was three times the global average, as reported by Earth.org.

This combination of stringent policy enforcement, long-term investment, and sweeping environmental reforms drastically reduced smog levels, making China’s experience a potential model for India, particularly for Delhi which consistently struggles with poor winter air quality.

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Delhi’s AQI Still in the ‘Poor’ Category Despite Interventions

Despite interventions including cloud seeding trials, Delhi’s air quality remained stubbornly poor on Wednesday. The overall AQI stood at 228 at 9 a.m. and 202 at 4 p.m., according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Both values fall in the “poor” category.

On Tuesday, the capital recorded a significantly worse AQI of 291, indicating higher pollutant concentration.

A look at AQI readings across the city shows widespread deterioration:

• Anand Vihar: 279
• Lodhi Road: 213
• ITO: 274
• RK Puram: 223
• Jahangirpuri: 235
• Chandni Chowk: 228
• Sirifort: 263

These numbers reflect persistent pollution across residential, commercial, and transport-heavy zones.

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What Do AQI Categories Mean?

According to CPCB, AQI levels correspond to health impact as follows:

• 0–50 (Good): Minimal impact
• 51–100 (Satisfactory): Minor discomfort to sensitive individuals
• 101–200 (Moderate): Discomfort for those with lung, heart, or respiratory conditions
• 201–300 (Poor): Discomfort for most people upon prolonged exposure
• 301–400 (Very Poor): Respiratory issues for the general population
• 401–500 (Severe): Health impacts even on healthy individuals; serious harm to those with existing ailments

At current levels, Delhi’s air is unsafe for prolonged outdoor exposure for most residents.

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China’s Offer: A Diplomatic Gesture or Practical Partnership?

China’s statement arrives at a time when India’s pollution peak coincides with global climate diplomacy and pressure to implement sustainable urban reforms. For many observers, the offer signals both goodwill and soft diplomatic engagement during a period of complex bilateral relations.

Experts in India have long argued that Delhi could benefit from studying China’s enforcement strategies, infrastructure shifts, and long-term investment approach. However, the scale of compliance enforcement in China—where the government has far-reaching powers—may not be easily replicable in India’s more decentralized, politically pluralistic system.

Still, China’s experience with:

• industrial restructuring,
• effective public transport expansion,
• greening initiatives,
• emissions control, and
• rigorous monitoring systems

could offer useful insights for India’s urban planners and environmental regulators.

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Conclusion

As Delhi battles another winter of foul air, China’s offer highlights the urgency of regional cooperation and knowledge-sharing in tackling one of the most persistent public health challenges of the era. While India will need to craft its own solutions suited to its demographic and political realities, studying the Chinese model could help accelerate progress.

For now, lakhs of Delhi residents continue to breathe unsafe air every day, and the need for long-term, structural interventions—rather than short-term seasonal measures—has never been more clear.