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An effort to clean Beijing’s air ahead of the Olympics by removing cars from its clogged roads began today, but there was no immediate difference in the capital.
Skies remained smoggy and traffic was bumper-to-bumper during afternoon rush hour on freeways and Chang An Avenue, that cuts through the heart of the city.
Under the edict, half of all government and Communist Party cars were not being used from today until July 19, the city said in a notice on its web site.
On July 20 another regulation kicks in that will allow vehicles on the road only on odd or even days, depending on their licence plate numbers.
“To meet the air quality standards and to realise safe and smooth traffic is our solemn promise to the international community,” the Beijing government notice said.
New sports venues and $US40 billion ($A42 billion) spent to improve China’s infrastructure have not disguised the fact that Beijing’s air quality remains a contentious issue for the games.
International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said earlier that outdoor endurance events lasting more than an hour will be postponed if air quality is poor.
Organisers announced details last week of a plan to pull half of Beijing’s 3.3 million vehicles off the roads during the Games.
The ban is part of an anti-pollution plan that also will halt construction and heavy industry during the Olympics, which begin in seven weeks.
In addition, 300,000 heavy polluting vehicles – aging industrial trucks, many of which operate only at night – will be banned from July 1.