The Chinese steel center in Tangshan city in northern Hebei province on January 3 issued an orange warning of severe pollution due to expected adverse weather conditions in the coming days, Reuters reported.
The orange warning is the second highest in the three-tier pollution warning system.
In line with the warning level, steel and other industrial companies were ordered to cut production before lifting the warning period, the department said. It says the timing of this is awaiting further notice.
China will host the 2022 Winter Olympics in February, with some events taking place in Hebei province.