Mini Documentary: “APEC Blue” Lives Up to Its Promise

“APEC Blue” refers to the strikingly clear, blue skies that appeared in Beijing during the 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, achieved through strict temporary pollution controls. The Chinese government implemented factory shutdowns, traffic restrictions, and construction halts to reduce smog, creating a brief period of clean air. The term has since become a cultural reference, symbolizing both environmental potential and the challenges of sustaining air quality improvements in China.