In a recent speech made by Mr. Du Shaozhong, Deputy Head of the Beijing Environmental Protection Administration (BEPA) at a press briefing at the 2008 Beijing International Media Center (BIMC), Beijing has honored all its commitments of air quality guarantee for the Beijing Olympic Games, and the Games-time interim emission reduction measures will be followed in an appropriate form.

According to Mr. Du Shaozhong, over half of the 16 Olympic competition days are up to Class A level in terms of air quality, a monthly record ever since the beginning of air quality surveillance. Air pollution index decreased by a large margin in August, and the pollutant concentration was more than 20% lower than the same period of last year.

After the Games, the threat of environmental challenges is far from being eliminated and that the Games-time interim emission reduction measures will be followed in an appropriate form, according to Mr. Du Shaozhong. For some enterprises, the problem of environmental pollution must be resolved before they can resume normal production. For those enterprises posing significant environmental threats, they should be suspended or limited production if pollution remains an issue. Pre-Games and Games-time experience can be drawn in involving urban environmental protection volunteers in the day-to-day environmental protection management. And public welfare activities will be sustained, including paid reporting of infringement upon environmental laws and regulations.