(Yicai Global) Oct. 12 -- Heavy air pollution is forecast to sweep into coastal Tangshan in China's east-central Hebei province on Oct. 13 and Oct. 19, so to ensure the achievement of air quality amelioration targets this autumn and winter, the city's municipal government has resolved to bring forward off-peak production by steel companies from Nov. 15 to today, per an announcement issued by the general office of the Tangshan municipal government yesterday.

Steel companies required to do so must implement off-peak production from today to midnight on Oct. 31. Companies otherwise qualifying for exemption from the suspension or limit per regulations, but which fail to undergo necessary approval or registration procedures with the municipal government will not be exempted, per the announcement.

Tangshan's environmental management center must consult and assess the city's air pollution conditions and make full use of its grid-based precise monitoring system to analyze and evaluate the situation. When the ambient environment is adverse for pollutant diffusion and before heavy pollution arrives, the government should take strict measures such as production suspension and limitation, work suspension and transit bans to mitigate air pollution in advance, the announcement directs.

From Oct. 12, 2017 to March 15, 2018, all earthworks such as construction, road, water projects and housing demolition must cease.