To each his own. This is a good example of how a place in China is viewed differently by people with different objectives. I enjoy knowing about different sorts of provinces I suppose. I have never been to Shanxi. But there are 36 provinces in China to choose from. (The provinces emphasize different things, just like different parts of any country do. China is the 3rd or 4th largest country, depending what source you check.) There is pollution all over China, just about. Picking out a province for being polluted is like giving speeding tickets for the Indy 500. Every driver would be in violation. Almost the whole country reeks of air pollution. India and China - two poster children of air pollution. Similarly there are pretty girls throughout China, especially if you are looking for a non-commital matter.

I left China in 2004 and I think China has changed but I am not for certain all the nuances. Who knows how the petty games between countries go. None of us are policy-makers.