Hazy look of downtown Shanghai

 Smoke rises from the chimneys of a thermal power plant during a hazy day in Nantong, Jiangsu province, December 4, 2013. China will launch two new pilot carbon trading schemes this week in Beijing and Shanghai as it strives to cut soaring rates of greenhouse gas, reduce choking smog and determine the best system for a nationwide roll-out. REUTERS

A woman wearing a mask walks on a bridge during a hazy day in downtown Shanghai December 5, 2013. China will launch two new pilot carbon trading schemes this week in Beijing and Shanghai as it strives to cut soaring rates of greenhouse gas, reduce choking smog and determine the best system for a nationwide roll-out. REUTERS

Women wear masks while walking on a bridge during a hazy day in Shanghai's financial district of Pudong December 5, 2013. Hazardous air pollution forced schools to shut or suspend outdoor activities in at least two cities in eastern China, where residents complained of the yellow skies and foul smells that are symtomatic of the country's crippling smog crisis. Nanjing suspended classes in primary and secondary schools and Qingdao banned outdoor activities, said the official Xinhua news agency.   REUTERS

A man plays violin as he roller-skates on a square on a hazy day in Nanjing, Jiangsu province December 5, 2013. Hazardous air pollution forced schools to shut or suspend outdoor activities in at least two cities in eastern China, where residents complained of the yellow skies and foul smells that are symptomatic of the country's crippling smog crisis. In Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province, the sun was the colour of "salted egg yolk" on Wednesday as the government raised the "red alert" for poor air quality for the first time, state-run news media reported. REUTERS

A man wears a face mask while walking on the Bund in front of the financial district of Pudong during a hazy day in downtown Shanghai December 6, 2013. China's stability-obsessed leadership has become increasingly concerned by the abysmal air quality in cities, as it plays into popular resentment over political privilege and rising inequality in the world's second-largest economy. REUTERS

Local residents wait on motorcycles and bicycles at a traffic junction during a hazy day in downtown Shanghai December 6, 2013. China's stability-obsessed leadership has become increasingly concerned by the abysmal air quality in cities, as it plays into popular resentment over political privilege and rising inequality in the world's second-largest economy. REUTERS

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