Beijing municipal officials for the first time released their air quality readings on January 21, following months of public outcry over heavy haze that sometimes blanketed the nation's capital and shut down air flights.

The Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Center on January 21 announced that it has set up a new monitoring station for tracking "PM 2.5," or particular matter under 2.5 microns in diameter, at its Chegongzhuang site. The center is publishing the readings on its website http：//www.bjmemc.com.cn.