Clear skies and crisp air quality in Beijing

Beijing is usually known for gridlock traffic and a grey haze of pollution hugging the tops of skyscrapers.

But one silver lining of the lockdown in China's capital city has been the newly crisp clarity of the air.

Locals like Liu Chuan are savouring every minute of it.

(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) 36-YEAR-OLD IT WORKER LIU CHUAN, SAYING:

"I could see stars in the sky at night when I was around Shangdi park. It feels like the air is overall much less polluted than it used to be. It also improves people's mood."

Greenpeace activist Lyn Liu has been monitoring the levels closely and says the pollutant emission numbers have dropped by more than 40 percent year-on-year in February.

(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) SENIOR CLIMATE AND ENERGY CAMPAIGNER OF GREENPEACE, LYN LIU, SAYING:

"From monthly data analysis, we can see the biggest drop of nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide pollution particulate matter in the whole country in February."

Among the factors that fueled the jump in air quality were the widespread shut down of factories and closure of streets, cutting the number of cars on the roads.

However experts warn the air pollution and carbon emissions may soon reappear as Chinese factories reopen and ramp up output.