Thick smog blanketed the Chinese capital on Sunday (December 8) for the second consecutive day that poor air conditions choked the city of around 20 million people.<br/> <br />The city's official air quality index (AQI) readings were at 361 as of Sunday morning.<br/> <br />A level of 300 is considered dangerous while the World Health Organization recommends a daily level of no more than 20.<br/> <br />Some Beijing residents wore face masks as they walked through the capital.<br/> <br />A Beijing resident surnamed Lu said that he was used to the pollution.<br/> <br />Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported on Sunday that flights at the Beijing Capital International Airport were delayed due to the smog.<br/> <br />Some residents said several surrounding highways outside of Beijing were closed due to poor visibility conditions.<br/> <br />In Shanghai air pollution hit record levels on Friday (December 6), causing the delay and cancellation of hundreds of flights.<br/> <br />Toxic air pollution in China's cities has caused a pub
