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The much debated Olympic environmental measures announced by the Beijing authorities finally come into effect, beginning from today, July 20. As from this date cars with licence plates ending with odd numbers will only be allowed to drive around the city on odd days, the same being applicable for even-numbered cars on even days. At the same time July 20 marks the deadline for the closing down of hundreds of heavily polluting factories, foundries, power plants and construction sites.
The measures are being imposed in the hopes of clearing the capital's smoky skies of as much smog as possible before 10,500 athletes hit the Olympic venues from August 6. And the drastic initiative appears to be working – at least to some extent:
"I think the air is getting cleaner, little by little," says Gert Holmgaard Nielsen, a Danish journalist based in Beijing. And traffic is also getting lighter too. I've been out driving today, and even though it's Sunday, it's much easier to get around." According to Mr. Holmgaard the Olympics have helped bring environmental issues to the forefront of the public agenda:
"The Chinese government is very much aware of the importance of dealing with pollution, but the Olympic Games have added an extra incentive. There is an urge to show the whole world that China has a responsible government."
The even-odds traffic measure will be in effect for the next two months, and getting caught with the wrong licence plate on the wrong day means a 100 RMB (69 DKK) on-the-spot fine.
Full story in Danish
News category: China
Published on this site: Jul. 20, 2008
Source:dr.dk/nyheder
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