Beijing raises emissions standards

Beijing will raise emissions standards on cars in 2008 in a bid to improve the city's air quality before the Olympics, AFP reported, citing state media. The new standards, which are set to go in effect on January 1, will aim to reduce levels of sulfur dioxide in the air caused by the city's 3.1 million privately owned cars. Other steps taken includes the relocation of polluting factories away from the city. Chinese environmental experts estimate that 40-50% of major pollutants in Beijing's air can be traced to auto emissions. On Friday International Olympic Committee chief Jacques Rogge mentioned the possibility of delaying certain events, such as long distance running, if Beijing's air quality continues to be unsafe.