Floating dust hindered Beijing in keeping its sky clear for 119 days in the first half of the year, Beijing-based Star Daily reported today.

By the end of June, the city had 107 days that reached the "blue sky" standard, accounting for 59.1 percent of the total days and 5.9 percentage points less than the standard, so it must keep the sky clear for 131 days in the last half of the year.

Floating dust from areas outside of the city hovered in Beijing for more than 10 days in the first half of the year, which prevented the city from hitting its target, said Du Shaozhong, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau for Environmental Protection.

In April, the city had only 9 "blue sky" days, together with 6 medium or heavily polluted days.

"Last April, Beijing didn't encounter any sandy days," Du said. He also said it is very challenging to achieve the target in the next six months, and the bureau will try its best to control the pollution.

About 250,000 people in Beijing took part in a campaign to suspend driving for one day, every month to protect Beijing's blue skies.

The city has moved industries out of the city and tightened vehicle emission regulations to increase the number of clear days.

The "blue sky" days for the first half of the year: January 11 days; February 20 days; March 20 days; April 9 days; May 23 days; June 24 days.

(Shanghai Daily July 4, 2006)