Beijing not to close factories for clean air

Beijing's party chief Liu Qi denies in an interview with the Financial Times, the city will not close down factories and take other extra measures to guarantee clear air during the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Mr. Liu also doubles as the head of the organizing committee of the Olympics. Apart from local action like reducing the car traffic, Beijing will not ask surrounding provinces to take extra measures.

“We are completely confident that Olympic athletes will be able to take part in their competitions normally next August,” said Mr Liu, who is the capital’s most powerful official.

He notes that only a three days in August were problematic, while the capital enjoyed "good weather" the rest of the time. That observation is not shared by the Beijing residents I have been talking to or reading.