China says it will do its best to ensure 'Green Olympics'

by Raghavendra

Beijing, Jun 18 (PTI) - Seeking to address concerns over
pollution in Beijing, China Tuesday promised international
athletes that it would stick to all its commitments for a
'Green Olympics'.

With less than two months left for the August Olympics
and nagging concerns over air quality, China said it attached
"great importance" to environmental issues and the Beijing
government had initiated 200 measures to address them.

"The Chinese government will stick to its commitments to
the I.O.C. (International Olympic Committee) and do its best
to make preparations for the Games," Foreign Ministry
spokesperson Jiang Yu told reporters here.

She was responding to a question on reports that
Australia's track and field athletes would not take part in
the opening ceremony of the Olympics, partly due to pollution
problems in Beijing.

Jiang said, "those concerns (about pollution) are not
necessary. As for issues like environment, the Chinese
government has made great efforts and taken a lot of
measures."

She said the Beijing government had also made joint
efforts with nearby cities and taken emission reduction
measures.

"We believe that during the Games, the main criteria for
the Olympics will be met and we would like to provide a
beautiful and clean environment to athletes," Jiang said.

"China welcomes athletes of all countries to come and
join the Games and we wish them success in the competition,"
she said.

Air quality in Beijing has come under repeated close
scrutiny with rising number of vehicles and industrial
pollution causing concerns.

China has spent billions of dollars in the past several
years to ensure a better environment in Beijing by shifting
factories, shutting down several of them, ordering
construction to be suspended ahead of the Games and
encouraging the people to use public transport.

Beijing says its efforts have paid off as reflected in
its meeting the target of "blue sky days." PTI