Using a multi-model system, Wang said he was able to forecast Beijing's air quality 72 hours ahead.

He said that even if the air is humid and still on Friday, the city is unlikely to have heavy pollution. "I think the city's comprehensive and strict measures to control pollution have paid off," he said

The capital's air quality on Tuesday was categorized as "fairly good" with an average pollution index from 27 monitoring stations standing at 88, slightly higher than the 83 recorded on Monday.

A pollution reading below 50 is classed as "excellent," 51 to 100 "fairly good," 101 to 200 "slightly polluted," 201 to 300 "poor" and over 301 is "hazardous," according to the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Environmental Protection.