(Yicai Global) Aug. 1 -- China will expand its limits on steel production to southeastern regions to curb air pollution in the next peak season of winter.

The area for steelmaking restrictions is expected to reach the southern Yangtze River Delta region covering Shanghai, as well as provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui, as well as the northern Fen-Wei River plain panning over provinces of Shanxi, Henan, and Shaanxi, local news outlet Economic Information Daily reported.

The air quality improved in northeastern China's regions of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei last year, mainly due to limitations on producing the alloy in 28 cities near the capital, while the air in the no-limits Yangtze River Delta, covering major cities of Shanghai, Nanjing, and Hangzhou, deteriorated over the same period.

Firms should do their part in reaching the environmental protection targets in respective regions by testing new methods such as electric furnace steelmaking, said Liu Zhenjiang, chief of the China Iron and Steel Association.

Most of the cities with the lowest air quality are home to steelmaking, including coking factories. China's steel production concentrates in the regions of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Yangtze River Delta, and Fen-Wei River plain.

Editor: Emmi Laine