But that thickened a hazardous smog, which cloaked Beijing every winter. In 2017 the government banned coal burning and started installing gas heaters instead. The plan (combined with other measures,

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING — As Canadians wake up, Prime Minister MARK CARNEY is sitting down for dinner with Chinese Premier LI QIANG. Carney and Li are dining at this hour in the Great Hall adjoining Tiananmen Square in Beijing after witnessing the signing of five memorandums of understanding.

Beijing’s air pollution continued to get worse for some years after the games as China continued to industrialize, grow, and urbanize, but since reaching it’s peak in 2013, the city has seen a drastic drop in pollution.

China banned the burning of coal for heat around Beijing, but natural gas subsidies have run out, leaving many villagers vulnerable in dangerously cold weather.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said he wants to open a “new phase” for relations with China during his first trip to Beijing since he took office in June.

Chinese authorities have told domestic companies to stop using cybersecurity software made by more than a dozen firms from the U.S. and Israel due to national security concerns, three people briefed on the matter said.

The prime minister is seeking new markets for Canadian goods and to mend relations with China after years of deep acrimony between the two nations.