In China, a total of 24 cities are on red alert due to serious air pollution. These cities include Shijiazhuang, Baoding and Langfang in northern Hebei Province, Zhengzhou in central China's Henan Province and Jinan in eastern China's Shandong Province. <br/><br/>Moreover, 21 metropolises and cities including Beijing and Tianjin, have issued orange alerts for air pollution, while 16 cities including Xi'an in northwestern Shaanxi Province are on yellow alert. Ministry of Environmental Protection said that the new round of air pollution is forecast to last until January, 5th in most cities.