China is introducing new air quality standards to better measure pollution in cities across the country, putting more importance on public health as the world's second largest economy steps up development.

The new regulations replace standards that many experts believe had underestimated pollution levels.

"It will help to promote our economic and social development and the green development of our industries, and protect the public health," Hao Jiming, an engineering professor of the Environment Department at Tsinghua University, said.

Al Jazeera's Imran Khan reports.