Various activities were distrupted by smog in the City of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, forcing many schools and highway shut down.

CEOAFRICA.com gathered that the density of airborne particles which has gone far beyond the recommended limit of the World Health Organisation, also forced many flights to be cancelled.

According to sources, visibility was reduced below 50m (160ft) in parts of the city, while some local media linked the pollution to the city switching on its public heating system for winter.

All of Heilongjiang province's highways, and the Taiping International Airport in Harbin were forced to close,

Meanwhile, a red alert for thick smog had been issued in the provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning, the news agency added.

Earlier this year, air pollution in China's capital, Beijing, also soared past hazardous levels.