China, the world's chief emitter of carbon dioxide greenhouse gases, is poised to invest 1.7 trillion yuan (AU$298 billion) to remedy the growing air smog pollution problem lording over its horizons which has killed thousands and sickened hundreds over the years. Specifically, the amount will be used to institute programmes and measures to combat the smog situation in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province.

These areas have been classified as the country's most heavily air-polluted, with PM particles breaching over the 2.5 mark.

Overall, China wants the collective air emissions among the three areas reduced by 25 per cent in five years' time, or by 2017.

"The thick smog and haze that covered large areas of the country in January has focused public attention on this issue," Zhao Hualin, a senior official at the Ministry of Environmental Protection, told the state-run China Daily newspaper.

China experienced its so far worst air smog pollution in January. Residents were forced to stay indoors to secure themselves against the cough-inducing nightmare. The country banned outdoor activities, barbecues and even fireworks as it raced to control the health menace.

Pollution levels in Beijing that month reached record-breaking numbers, far more above the allowable limit imposed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Official measures of PM2.5 rose to as high as 993 microgrammes per cubic meter in Beijing on Jan 12, 40 times over the criteria set by the WHO which is no more than 25.

Mr Zhao said the AU$298 billion amount was approved in June by China's State Council.

The plan is China's "most comprehensive and toughest plan to control and in some regions reduce air pollution by the year 2017," China Daily reported. However did not provide exact details of how the country aims to achieve its targets.