Shenyang – once one of China’s most polluted cities – is planning a big green project as it competes with other Chinese cities to fulfil Beijing’s environmental ­targets.

Under a five-year Rmb300m ($44m, €30m, £27m) plan to be announced on Thursday, up to 50 researchers from the Shenyang city ­government, Northeastern University and IBM would work together to develop solutions for monitoring and lowering carbon emissions, fighting water pollution and enhancing traffic control, Song Qi, deputy mayor, told the Financial Times.