Improving air quality in the city is one of the government's main goals.

Ji, who took the office in 2007, said the government will take more action to monitor and reduce the level of PM2.5, particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, which can be hazardous after reaching a certain concentration.

The city plans to switch most of its coal-fueled power and heating facilities to natural gas in the coming years to cut down coal consumption, he said.

The government will also remove more high-emission vehicles from streets and raise fuel standards to meet standard V (the highest standard in China for vehicle emissions) in the second half of 2012.

Ji said the city will continue to develop the service industry as the main industry, especially the financial sector.

In addition, Beijing plans to reduce the tax burden on enterprises in the city.

Ji said Beijing has applied to the central government for reforms to value-added tax, and if successful, the city will apply them in July.

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