Olympic host city Beijing was shrouded in haze on Monday 11 days before the Games begin, raising anxieties about whether it can deliver the clean skies promised for the world's top athletes. The city's chronic pollution, a sometimes acrid mix of construction dust, vehicle exhaust and factory and power plant fumes, has been one of the biggest worries for Games organisers.
Beijing has ordered many of its 3.3 million cars off roads and halted much construction and factory production in an effort to cut pollution before the Games open on August 8. But a sultry haze persisted on Monday, and state media said Beijing might be forced to restrict more cars and shut more factories if the pollution persists.
City officials had earlier said the haze was due to humid weather, not pollution. But state media on Monday suggested Games organisers were also worried and considering more pollution cuts.
"More vehicles could go off the roads and all construction sites and some more factories in Beijing and its neighbouring areas could be closed temporarily if the capital's air quality deteriorates during the Olympic Games," the China Daily said.
Xinhua said air quality in Beijing on Monday was Grade II, making it officially a "blue sky day" despite the grey haze, with the main pollutant being particulate matter. Many athletes have delayed arriving in Beijing until the last minute to avoid bad air and the International Olympic Committee said it may reschedule endurance events to prevent health risks to athletes if pollution is bad.
For four days up to Monday, Beijing had not experienced a "blue sky day", when the pollution index meets the national standard for "good air quality." Hong Kong, host of the equestrian events, was also badly polluted on Monday after a week of clear, blustery weather.