Pei Chenghu, deputy director-general of the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau, announced on Jan 26 that Beijing would introduce five measures to improve its environment before the 2008 Olympics.

However, it was still not possible to make any concrete promises regarding the goal of having clear blue skies by 2008.

During its bid for organizing the 2008 Olympics, Beijing had already indicated that its air quality would comply with the national standards by 2008, while all major environmental indicators would comply with guidelines prescribed by the World Heath Organization (WHO).

In describing the current situation, Pei said that sand and dust storms from beyond the borders of Beijing had maintained a high level of air pollution in the city, and increased the difficulty of improving air quality.

Pei further explained that Beijing would introduce five measures to improve the environment, following the concept of "controlling the total quantity of pollutants". Firstly, it would control the smoke pollution from coal combustion and increase the supplies of clean energy. Secondly, it would control industrial pollution.

In terms of remedying and managing pollution from motor vehicles, Pei said that it was estimated that the number of motor vehicles would grow to 3.5 million by 2008. Accordingly, the city will impose strict controls over exhaust emission levels of new motor vehicles including public buses and taxis. The European III Standard will be implemented this July. Cars that fail to meet these standards after examination will require modifications to be carried out within a prescribed period, failing which the car will need to be scrapped. According to the new standards, Beijing will eliminate 3,800 public buses and refurbish 35,000 taxis this year. In addition, Beijing is the first city in China to introduce regional standards for oil products.

Pei also emphasized that the real solution to the root problem was to improve the environment, strengthen greenery in the city and set up ecological model regions.

(chinanews.cn January 28, 2005)