First of all, welcome to the Jing!
Not sure what Leipzig was like in 86, but if you don't find it objectionable here this week, man, you have iron lungs and a high tolerance for smoke-smelling dusty stuff. :)
On a serious note, the news cycle is over hyping it. But there are some pretty bad days. And this week isn't even close to the worst it has been in Beijing a couple years ago.
PS: 4th year here.