From Inter Press Service, via Asia Times:
Three years ago, the Chinese capital unveiled its master plan for hosting the 2008 Olympics, with the city elders speaking of a commitment to hold the best Games ever. They promised an event taking place in spectacular venues spread across a green city and accessible by a new public transport system. They also pledged to clean up the notorious pollution smothering the city and meet the World Health Organization’s average ambient-air-quality standards. By 2008, the city would have blue skies, or be pollution-free, for 80% of the year, or so the promises said.
But Beijing’s goal of becoming a pollution-free city is being undermined by rapid economic growth that is outstripping numerous measures put in place to improve the capital’s air quality. In fact, the city’s claim to being environment-friendly has suffered one blow after another.
