What is your forecast about Beijing Olympics? - There are so many people worry about the air pollution!?

Question

Here is a question asked in "Olympics" forum.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070817171943AAF6wFv&r=w&show_comments=true&pa=FZB6NWHjDG3N56z6v_2zVkmirlCnm0b_QLtz2Z4yhLDfLBivr0.tW6oua7v7YIeq17pPJ51IbRXRG2BDq4qqOQ--&paid=add_comment#openions
I have found a lot of other questions here and there expressing worries about whether China is ready for this huge international activities held in Beijing next year. This is a question to those who are currently living in Beijing and know Beijing very well or have been to Beijing like myself for many times, please tell me your opinions.

For those who have never been to China nor who have never been to Asia, I would not take your answers serious and certainly would not pick any of it as best answer. By the way, if you want to express that you have already decided to boycott Beijing Olympics, that's fine too, you have the right to do it, but it has nothing to do with this question, you can't stop the others looking forward to it.

Answer 1

I have been up there a few times this past year and wonder myself how is it all going to get done, I have a friend that was just up there asking the same thing, I also have a few friends that live there asking the same thing, the funny thing is it seems like it always gets done no matter how unlikely it seems at the moment, so, I am hoping that it all gets done in time, but I have those doubts lurking in the back of my head b/c of all that still needs to be finished

Answer 2

I heard something during the week regarding the high levels of pollution. The plan for the Olympics is to remove older vehicles from the roads for a certain amount of time before and after the Games. I guess there would be some other plans of action happening too. I know that the Australian athletes have changed training methods to cope with the situation over there and will only arrive in Beijing a few days before competition begins to help avoid air pollution as much as possible. I hope it all works out.

Answer 3

I've been to Beijing quite a few times and am not fond of the pollution there, but this does seem to be an issue raised by those who seem to be more interested in bashing China, rather than out of concern for the athletes or those attending the Olympics games. Funny how this wasn't much of an issue when the games were held in Los Angeles, one of the worst polluted cities on the planet.

Answer 4

Let me tell you something about the air pollution issue. From the 17th until 20th August, i.e. since Friday until Monday, they are testing the method of banning half the cars from the Beijing streets. On uneven days they only let cars with an uneven last number on the license plate drive and vice versa. Today is the 19th and the only effect that I find positive is that the traffic jam problem has been greatly reduced. Maybe the air quality went from "impossible to bear" to "almost impossible to bear" but it's definitely not good, not even close. However, I strongly believe that in Tuesday's news we can read that the air quality improved so much that it will easily conform with the requirements for the 2008 Olympics.

Answer 5

I love China and especially Beijing. I believe that some people who know that changes that Beijing has been through will be amazed as I was to see the two brand new stadiums. A lot of poeple will not go because of their view of China as a third world country. Others will go with the wrong expectations and be put off by the traffic, driving, crowded conditions and other factors.

Whatever happens, it is good for Beijing and we should all focus on international good will and take this opportunity to enjoy the differences in our cultures as well as the similiarities of our peoples.

Answer 6

I believe the Chinese government will have good measure in place for the problem of air pollution before the Olympics. They have been trying hard to control the number of cars on roads by allowing cars with odd/even plate numbers taking turns to be on the roads. This seems to work OK, but for long term, they do need a good solution for this big problem.

Answer 7

Here in the US China is perceived by the government as a rising enemy. Therefore, almost no positive publicity exists. The propaganda machine is on. Beijing is seen as the very most polluted city in the world. Since it's selection, China is seen as trying to ingratiate the rest of the world by overproducing for the Olympics at the citizen's expense. It's very childish.

Answer 8

I have confidence the Chinese government will be able to solve this problem before the Games.I also have great faith in them to present to the world the best opening and closing ceremonies ever.To be honest,I think the Chinese government should not try to westernize Beijing so much.It's a city with it's own culture.They should preserve all those historical buildings and those lanes that can only be found in their country and nowhere else.

Answer 9

Boycott olympics..idiots..anyways to answer your question

8.8.8 is gonna be a hot night! It's gonna be hot and sticky..oh boy but hey..love china and yeah!!!

Pollution is a problem...1/5 of the world's total population living in one single place..pollution..can't escape that

Air pollution will be a problem but gov are trying to improve by taking cars off the road..and my prediction..I bet that no cars are allowed on the street of beijing during the olympics

Hopefully it will improve

seriously..I luv china..and I look towards 888!

Hot and sticky..but cool!

Answer 10

omg..i am soo ready to see the bejing olympics..it gonna be soooo excited. i saw on the chinese news that they count down every single day until the specail day. i mean that how excited they are..but than i also heard that if u wonna see it at china u need to book the hotel now before it is too late...anyway cant wait