BEIJING: A Chinese newspaper lashed out Tuesday at the state broadcaster for crediting the country’s choking air pollution with making the nation more equal, branding it a sycophantic stunt to curry favor with Communist authorities.

China Central Television (CCTV) carried a commentary on its website that claimed the smoggy haze, which has worsened in recent years and blanketed many Chinese cities last week, has “brought about five advantages to the nation and the individuals.”

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