Olympics Travel: Beijing's Trying to Clean up Its Air
The Beijing Olympics start on August 8, but the air in China's capital city seems to be thicker than ever. So starting July 20, owners of private cars will only be allowed to drive in Beijing on alternate days; a majority of state-owned vehicles will also go off the roads starting in late July.
There will be other restrictions in place, too, all in the hopes that the city's air will be clean enough for the games:
With 45 percent fewer vehicles on the road, the highly polluting vehicles banned and other measures reducing pollution from gas stations and chemical plants, air pollution will be reduced by an estimated 63 percent, said Du Shaozhong, a spokesman for the city's environmental protection agency.
Let's hope so. This smoggy shot was taken on June 14 at the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City. For even more terrifying shots of pollution, click over to James Fallows' blog, where a photo from this morning will have you gasping for air.
Related Stories:
· Beijing Announces Traffic Plan for Olympics [NYT]
· Polluted Air (Made in China) [Jaunted]
· Beijing Olympics coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: wang qian 02/13/86]
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