BEIJING — The average density of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Beijing from January to June stood at 43 micrograms per cubic meter, down by 8.5 percent year-on-year, local authorities said on July 21.

There were 130 days with good air quality during this period, an increase of 17 days compared with the same period of last year, according to the Beijing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau.

The average density of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide both decreased by over 19 percent in the Chinese capital in the first half of the year.

According to the bureau, Beijing, Tianjin and the neighboring province of Hebei have also cooperated to remove heavily polluting vehicles from roads through legislation since May.

The bureau said the progress was made through various measures such as more effectively preventing dust from appearing at construction sites, and controlling air pollution caused by volatile organic compounds.