Smog blankets China earlier this year: ministry

China will suffer from heavy pollution this year earlier than usual due to the slow movement of cold air mass.

Beijing has been suffering from air pollution since August 31, which comes earlier than similar conditions in 2015 and 2016, according to a statement from the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) Sunday.

The city's air quality index ranges from 150 to 200, MEP data shows.

The temperature and humidity in this year's autumn and winter seasons could be more intense, the MEP said, which is caused by enlarged melting areas of Arctic Sea ice and sea temperature fluctuations in the Pacific.

The MEP said the country should improve its forecast ability from seven to 10 days, providing sufficient time for effective measures to be implemented.

Emergency response plans should be improved in 28 cities in northern and central China to ensure the effectiveness of measures to cut emissions, the statement said.

Between October 2017 and March 2018, China will reduce the level of PM 2.5 particles by at least 15 percent in cities around the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Xinhua News Agency quoted the MEP last month.