Pollution top for new Beijing leaders

Lawmakers and advisers renewed calls to tackle environmental and traffic issues, both major sources of public concern, on Monday, as Beijing elected its new leadership.

Acting mayor Wang Anshun was elected mayor of the Chinese capital on the final day of the first session of the 14th Beijing Municipal People's Congress.

Nine deputy mayors, including two new faces — former chiefs of Beijing's Daxing and Shunyi districts — were also elected at the annual legislature's meeting.

At a news conference following his election, Wang, a native of Huixian county in Henan province, said the leadership will stand with residents to overcome difficulties.

He did not specify what those difficulties are, but at a discussion with lawmakers on Sunday, he said environmental issues should be the new government's top priority.

His remarks came after Beijing experienced its worst smog in many years earlier this month.

Air quality and traffic were the focus of the city's annual meetings that brought together the city's lawmakers and political advisers.

The lawmakers' meeting received 187 proposals, of which 68 were focused on the city's environment and public transport.

Qian Xiaomeng, a legislator, said making Beijing a livable city has become a popular topic in the session's discussions.

"The air pollution is a comprehensive problem. It needs a system to deal with it, such as increasing green areas," said Qian, who comes from the Xicheng district river parks management office.