Air pollution remains a major concern ahead of next August's Beijing Olympics, the UN said yesterday, while generally giving the city high marks for its efforts to ensure the event will be environmentally sound.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge has said Beijing's dirty air might force some outdoor endurance events to be postponed or moved to other locations.
"Extensive use of coal, the city's geographical location and a growing number of motor vehicles means the pace of improvement in Beijing's air quality is slow. Particularly worrying are the levels of small particulate matter ... in the atmosphere which is severely harmful to public health," said Eric Falt, the official in charge of the UN Environment Program's sports and environment project.
The UN report -- which reviewed environmental issues ahead of the Beijing Games -- found that the average level of small particulate matter in Beijing's air last year was eight times higher than the level recommended by the WHO.
Other forms of air pollution -- sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide -- rose or failed to drop last year following three years of decline, according to the report, which was based heavily on Chinese statistics.
However, "[China has] never committed to reaching those specific WHO standards within the timeframe of the Games," Falt said.
The report was generally positive about other environmental aspects of the preparations, praising the Beijing organizing committee's efforts in waste management, transportation and water treatment.
Solar power will be extensively used at venues and the Olympic village, and organizers have made an "extraordinary achievement" in avoiding chemicals that damage the ozone layer, the report said.
"You have to bear in mind this is the first time Olympics have been held in a developing country," said Khalid Malik, the UN representative in Beijing. "The fact that Chinese authorities have managed to move so fast, so rapidly is impressive. Clearly not everything will be settled perfectly and that's the way life is."
Meanwhile, chief Olympic inspector Hein Verbruggen foresees no "risks or dangers" in the preparations for the Beijing Games.
Speaking at the end of the penultimate three-day visit of the IOC's inspection team yesterday, Verbruggen said he was confident the Games would be of the highest standard even if there was still much detailed work to be done over the remaining 288 days.
RESPONSE: The transit sends a message that China’s alignment with other countries would not deter the West from defending freedom of navigation, an academic said Canadian frigate the Ville de Quebec and Australian guided-missile destroyer the Brisbane transited the Taiwan Strait yesterday morning, the first time the two nations have conducted a joint freedom of navigation operation. The Canadian and Australian militaries did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Ministry of National Defense declined to confirm the passage, saying only that Taiwan’s armed forces had deployed surveillance and reconnaissance assets, along with warships and combat aircraft, to safeguard security across the Strait. The two vessels were observed transiting northward along the eastern side of the Taiwan Strait’s median line, with Japan being their most likely destination,
GLOBAL ISSUE: If China annexes Taiwan, ‘it will not stop its expansion there, as it only becomes stronger and has more force to expand further,’ the president said China’s military and diplomatic expansion is not a sole issue for Taiwan, but one that risks world peace, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday, adding that Taiwan would stand with the alliance of democratic countries to preserve peace through deterrence. Lai made the remark in an exclusive interview with the Chinese-language Liberty Times (sister paper of the Taipei Times). “China is strategically pushing forward to change the international order,” Lai said, adding that China established the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, launched the Belt and Road Initiative, and pushed for yuan internationalization, because it wants to replace the democratic rules-based international
The National Development Council (NDC) yesterday unveiled details of new regulations that ease restrictions on foreigners working or living in Taiwan, as part of a bid to attract skilled workers from abroad. The regulations, which could go into effect in the first quarter of next year, stem from amendments to the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals (外國專業人才延攬及僱用法) passed by lawmakers on Aug. 29. Students categorized as “overseas compatriots” would be allowed to stay and work in Taiwan in the two years after their graduation without obtaining additional permits, doing away with the evaluation process that is currently required,
RELEASED: Ko emerged from a courthouse before about 700 supporters, describing his year in custody as a period of ‘suffering’ and vowed to ‘not surrender’ Former Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) was released on NT$70 million (US$2.29 million) bail yesterday, bringing an end to his year-long incommunicado detention as he awaits trial on corruption charges. Under the conditions set by the Taipei District Court on Friday, Ko must remain at a registered address, wear a GPS-enabled ankle monitor and is prohibited from leaving the country. He is also barred from contacting codefendants or witnesses. After Ko’s wife, Peggy Chen (陳佩琪), posted bail, Ko was transported from the Taipei Detention Center to the Taipei District Court at 12:20pm, where he was fitted with the tracking
RSS