The environmental watchdog in the Chinese capital imposed penalties against about 1,000 vehicles in March for excessive emissions.

The Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau conducted a special campaign against key industries and businesses in the capital, including public buses and trucks.

Of the more than 600,000 automobiles inspected during the period, about 1,000 had received penalties as of March 25, the bureau said.

The capital has outlined stricter and more detailed punishments for those responsible for excessive emissions and automobile exhaust, with owners of polluting vehicles facing fines of up to 3,000 yuan ($480) starting March 1, up from a fixed 100 yuan penalty.

The regulation has given more authority to environmental departments and is the first time the city has made air pollution reduction law, having been passed by the city's legislature at the end of its people's congress plenary session.