Beijing experienced slightly cleaner air in 2015 but was still forced to issue two red alerts for smog later in the year. However, plans are afoot to reduce air pollution in the Chinese capital by a considerable amount by 2030.

This footage, filmed near Beijing in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province between January 3 and January 4, shows just how heavy the smog can get in towns and cities in China.

Fortunately, air quality is being taken seriously by Chinese authorities and, according to reports, the Beijing Environmental Monitoring Centre has begun setting targets to cut airborne pollution by more than 200 per cent by 2030.