Heavy smog reveals generation gap

BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Young pedestrians slapped on protective face masks while senior citizens carried on with their regular outdoor exercises as hazardous smog choked Beijing for a fourth consecutive day.

Beijing on Monday continued to issue air pollution warnings as readings of PM2.5 hit 300 to 400 micrograms per cubic meter in many parts of the city, or 12 to 16 times the level considered safe by the World Health Organization.

Officials and experts have advised residents, especially children and the elderly, to stay indoors. But on Monday, it was busy as usual on Beijing's streets, with people walking dogs and doing morning exercises.

Dozens of senior citizens did their morning exercises in a small park with exercise equipment near Xicheng District's Baiwanzhuang Avenue, and none of them were aware of the pollution readings or wore protective masks.

"I do have some coughing today, but I just don't want to be cooped up in my house or bother myself with an uncomfortable mask," said 63-year-old Peng Fuqiang, who regularly visits the park.

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