Of course they were using PM10! Why would they care about the health of their citizens and volunteer PM2.5 if they knew the results would be alarming? PM2.5 particles are far far far more hazardous than PM10. You’d think they’d be on top of it (if they actually cared) since the Beijing air was OBVIOUSLY heavy with particles. It’s not like they don’t have the technology to do PM2.5 readings! They had the PM2.5 measurements and knew exactly what was going on. They just didn't publicly report it. It was more along the lines of let the citizens think everything is fine by just using the PM10 in the reports. Our sheep will be none the wiser! Why should we knock ourselves out alerting them to any danger? Ignorance is bliss! Lol!
So if the US Embassy was using PM2.5 why was the Chinese government asking foreign embassies to stop sharing data? If the Embassies were publishing 2.5 then why the big fuss? They should have simply clarified to the Chinese people that “They use 2.5 and we use PM10...so that is why their pollution levels are far higher.” Problem solved!
Instead it was indignation, claims of unreliable data, and threats of a shutdown. They just wanted news stations to keep reporting “unusually heavy fog today” and keep the people in the dark! Finally a public outcry forced their hand. Lol!!
Definitely a face losing moment for the Chinese government. Outed by the US Embassy.