Beijing to cut emissions for Olympics

Half of Beijing's three million private vehicles are about to come off the roads in a bid to ease traffic and cut air pollution for the Olympics. Polluting businesses are also being to told to shut down for the Olympics or cut back emissions.

Half of Beijing's three million private vehicles are about to come off the roads in a bid to ease traffic and cut air pollution for the Olympics. (Photo: CCTV.com)

The even-odd system bans cars on alternate days according to their license plates. The scheme starts Sunday, and runs through September the 20th.

Beijing has been carrying out environmental protection measures for a decade. And officials aim to keep improving air quality.

Enterprises in smelting, building materials and petrochemical sectors have worked out detailed plans for suspending production or cutting emissions.

Shougang, or the Capital Iron and Steel Group, one of China's biggest steel makers, has cut production, and therefore emissions, by 70 percent from a year ago.

Half of Beijing's three million private vehicles are about to come off the roads in a bid to ease traffic and cut air pollution for the Olympics. (Photo: CCTV.com)

Company officials say record profits this year means Shougang doesn't need the government compensation for cutting back production.

The steelmaker is the worst polluter in Beijing. It's moving production to a 10 million-ton, state-of-art mill on the nearby coast of Hebei province, slated to open by 2010.

At that time, the plant in the west of the city will be closed.