Meaning:

    “蓝” means “blue.” The APEC China 2014 was the 26th annual gathering of APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) leaders. It was held in Yanqi Lake, Huairou District, Beijing on Nov. 10-12, last year. To ensure good air quality during the meeting, Beijing ordered contruction sites and serious industrial polluters to stop operation starting Nov. 3. Vehicles were also partly restricted according to the last number of their plates. As a result, people could see blue skies during the meeting in Beijing, and nicknamed the situation “APEC blue.”

    Example:

    A: 今年冬天一点都不冷。

    Jīnnián dōngtiān yīdiǎn dōu bù lěng。

    It’s not cold at all this winter.

    B: 是啊，可是感冒咳嗽的人还是很多。

    Shì a, kěshì gǎnmào késòu de rén háishì hěn duō。

    Yeah, but there are still many people who catch a cold and cough.

    A: 空气质量差应该也是人们容易生病的原因。

    Kōngqì zhìliàng chà yīnggāi yě shì rénmen róngyì shēngbìng de yuányīn。

    Poor air quality partly contributes to people easily getting sick.

    B: 真怀念APEC蓝啊。

    Zhēn huáiniàn ēipàikèlán a。

    I really miss the blue skies and good air during the APEC meeting.