This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7007893.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Beijing drivers ignore No Car Day | Beijing drivers ignore No Car Day |
(about 2 hours later) | |
China is holding a No Car Day in more than 100 cities as it tries to reduce smog ahead of the 2008 Summer Olympics. | |
Cars have been banned on some central streets in Beijing and all drivers are being encouraged to leave their cars at home voluntarily. | Cars have been banned on some central streets in Beijing and all drivers are being encouraged to leave their cars at home voluntarily. |
But correspondents say that in the capital National No Car Day appears to be making little impact. | But correspondents say that in the capital National No Car Day appears to be making little impact. |
Millions of vehicles are on the roads every day in Beijing, causing massive air pollution. | Millions of vehicles are on the roads every day in Beijing, causing massive air pollution. |
The BBC's James Reynolds in Beijing says that cars are coming and going as normal, and most streets in Beijing are not adhering to No Car Day. | |
Environmental campaigners say China must overhaul its transport system, not just with a few ad hoc No Car Days but by putting in cycle lanes, reducing the price of public transport and making it much more difficult for people to buy private cars. | Environmental campaigners say China must overhaul its transport system, not just with a few ad hoc No Car Days but by putting in cycle lanes, reducing the price of public transport and making it much more difficult for people to buy private cars. |
But China has a huge incentive - not just the health of its citizens, but the success of the Olympic Games in August next year. | But China has a huge incentive - not just the health of its citizens, but the success of the Olympic Games in August next year. |
The head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has already warned that if the pollution is bad next summer, some endurance events - such as cycling or the marathon - may have to be postponed. | The head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has already warned that if the pollution is bad next summer, some endurance events - such as cycling or the marathon - may have to be postponed. |