CHINA-APEC/POLLUTION-PREPS Beijing pulls out all the stops to ensure a smog-free APEC summit

Record ID: 217060

  • Title: CHINA-APEC/POLLUTION-PREPS Beijing pulls out all the stops to ensure a smog-free APEC summit
  • Date: 7th November 2014
  • Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (NOVEMBER 4, 2014) (REUTERS) TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF THE CHINA NATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE WHERE APEC MEETINGS WILL BE HELD CHINESE FLAG FLYING IN FRONT OF CONVENTION CENTRE POLICE VAN PARKED NEAR CONVENTION CENTRE PEOPLE GOING THROUGH SECURITY TO ENTER CONVENTION CENTRE SECURITY OFFICER TALKING ON WALKIE-TALKIE CLOSED ROAD NEAR MEDIA CENTRE VARIOUS OF SECURITY P
  • Embargoed: 22nd November 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • Country: China
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVACNX1GBK4J46W18I8KQSEXN5WL
  • Story Text: As the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting approaches, China has unveiled a raft of stringent measures to ensure the capital looks its best as global leaders, and the accompanying media scrutiny, descend on the city.
    Security was stepped up around the area where most of the meetings are set to be held, with roads and subways closed and an army of semi-official security guards sent out to wipe the grime off nearby railings.
    However, Beijing's preparations go beyond the immediate meeting site.
    Topping Beijing's concern is pollution. Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli told officials in October that ensuring air quality during APEC is the "priority of priorities," as he announced that hundreds of polluting industrial plants within a 200-km (124-mile) radius of the capital will be closed.
    To ensure clean air during the summit, China said it would thin traffic and close hundreds of factories within a 200-km (124-mile) radius of the capital over the period from November 1 to 12.
    In Fangshan district, factories stood idle on Thursday (November 6), providing a welcome relief for many locals who bear the brunt of the fumes these companies emit.
    "(Since the closure) it hasn't been very noisy over where they get the stones. As soon as they start up it's no good. As soon as they start up it's not only polluted, it's really noisy. As soon as (the factory closed) it was better," said 78 year old Zhang Shulan who lives nearby.
    The war on smog is also being waged inside the city. Along with banning cars with number plates ending in even or odd numbers on alternating days, Beijing has pushed back the date when the winter heating gets turned on, while some cemeteries have even banned families from burning the clothes of dead relatives - a traditional practice in Chinese funerals - during the meeting, citing pollution caused by the ashes.
    While the inconveniences have put some out, the majority of those in Beijing remain stoic about the effects of the meeting.
    "For us normal people, perhaps the vehicle restrictions and so on will make things a little bit inconvenient. But this thing is just for a few days so I can understand it," said Zhao Ying, who works in education.
    "I think it (the inconvenience) is worth it, because I think this meeting can help China's economic development, as well as economic development in Asia and at the same time it can help global economic development. It's going to benefit people, I think it's very necessary, that's why I really support it," said teacher Li Ying.
    The extent Beijing has gone to in order to clear the air has not been seen since the city hosted the 2008 Olympics, when the city unveiled a raft of similar measures.
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