A Sino-US pilot project on control of diesel vehicle emission was launched here on Thursday, under the framework of cooperation between the two countries on environmental protection.

Diesel is among the major sources of particulate matter pollution in Beijing, though the fuel is important for automobiles and efficient in providing powerful energy, said Pei Chenghu, deputy director of Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau.

US experts will introduce their experiences on diesel emission control into China, according to the cooperation framework.

The United States will offer US$200,000 to help retrofit 25 diesel vehicles, public buses and post trucks in particular, to reduce the emission pollution. After retrofit, the particulate matter from automobiles is expected to be cut by 35 to 90 percent.

There are about 120,000 diesel-powered buses and trucks in Beijing, among which 24 percent meet the Euro II standards and 39 percent meet the Euro I standards, according to Feng Yuqiao, chief of the automobile emission control division under Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau.

The capital city of Beijing has taken measures to improve the air quality and made remarkable progress.