"Because China's cities so famously suffer from severe air pollution, it might seem impertinent, then, to ask the following question: Is China's air pollution really that bad? In other words, is it a unique environmental catastrophe warranting international concern? Or is its poor air quality instead the natural conclusion of rapid development with high rates of industrial growth, urbanization, and increasing population density, with warnings exacerbated by an over-attentive media?" (Quoted from article)