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Olympics: Beijingers hope Games clean-up stays in place
2008-08-25
BEIJING (AFP) - If Wen Laifu had his way, the Beijing Olympics would last forever. The immediate reason is China's huge haul of gold medals which the sports-mad Beijing resident called "extraordinary." But Beijing's aggressive moves to get the city ready for the sporting showcase have also whetted the appetites of residents like Wen for a clean and orderly city -- something he hopes will continue even with the Games finished. "Beijing is one of the great cities of the world. But we don't act like it sometimes," said Wen, an ad copy writer, strolling through Tiananmen Square on a smog-free day with his wife and young son. Beijing's Olympic makeover has left the city unrecognisable to many long-term residents. Strict driving restrictions helped ease the chronic and paralysing traffic congestion that normally clogs the streets of the ancient capital of 17 million people, taking about one-third of its three million cars off the roads. That, plus the relocation or temporary shuttering of factories in the region, has been credited with reducing the city's notorious smog during the Games, although favourable weather has also been a factor. Other moves have included a clampdown on the city's blatant prostitution -- but also the stifling of dissidents to avoid embarrassing political protests during the August 8-24 Games and the forced exodus of hordes of ragtag migrant workers. Authorities have announced no plans to maintain the aggressive order and beautification steps long-term -- they are slated to last until September 20, after the conclusion of the Paralympics. But an official indicated over the weekend that the driving restrictions, at least, could potentially be extended. "We want to hear more public opinion on the whether, or how, to keep the rule," Wang Li, deputy director of Beijing's traffic bureau, was quoted by state media as saying. A poll last month by the Beijing Social Facts and Public Opinion Survey Centre found that 96 percent of Beijing residents viewed the measures favourably and 60 percent wanted them to continue. "These measures have been successful. The city is better now," said Zhao Wei, 39, who operates a chain of six dry-cleaning outlets. The driving restrictions, which have limited motorists to driving on alternate days based on their licence plate number, have forced him to take the bus and subways every other day. They have also slightly disrupted business by complicating delivery of supplies, though like nearly all Chinese questioned by AFP, he saw these as inconveniences necessary for a successful Olympics. Independent estimates have put annual direct economic losses from the city's gridlock at up to one billion dollars. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says about 650,000 people die prematurely in China each year from air pollution. Zhao is willing to make sacrifices for a better city, saying Beijing's notorious gridlock already regularly causes supply disruptions and that rising petrol prices have made driving more expensive anyway. "Chinese can accept hardship for the greater good, especially under government guidance. It is one of our national strengths," said Zhao, riding the subway to an Olympic basketball game with friends. The UN Development Programme and the WHO last week released statements lavishing praise on Beijing for advances in air quality, food safety, health care and volunteerism and calling for China to maintain them. "All these efforts will have a lasting impact because they have changed lives. What we now want to make sure of is that the change will not go away and will be mirrored throughout China," said Khalid Malik, the UNDP's China coordinator. Beijing residents praised not only the planting of flowerbeds and other greenery throughout the city, but also strict security measures. "The security has significantly increased and I hope it stays that way. It makes me feel safer," said Li Jianhua, 32, who works in printing. Hong Guangli, a 25-year-old economics graduate student, expects a return to the free-for-all growth behind many of Beijing's -- and China's -- problems. But he hopes the government also will have developed a taste for a better environment and improved living conditions, not just in Beijing, but nationwide. "We cannot move as quickly in China as in your country," he said. "But we are making progress."
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