Beijing Cleans the Air for 2008 Olympics

A Tale of 2 Origins:
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
Which side is closer to the truth?

Reading and listening to the news reports here in China, it is difficult to tell which version of "truth" is closer to reality.


From China's People's Daily news, July 23. The air looks amazingly blue.

China's version: Beijing's air pollution is substantially better than before. What we see now is haze and fog that is normal in many cities during hot humid summers. On August 7, start of autumn in China, the air will naturally start to improve. Beijing guarantees that the air will be clean during the duration of the Olympics.


Foreign newspaper pictures from July 28, the same day as the opening ceremonies for the Olympic Athletes' Village
The air pollution looks pretty bad. I wouldn't want to go out running in this stuff.

The version from many foreign news reporters: Beijing's air pollution is still TERRIBLE just before the start of the Olympics. It is difficult to see to the next building. Athletes might decide to wear respiratory protection masks. The biggest worry is whether wearing masks will cause Beijing to lose face and make people angry.

Wow. Such different images. Such different stories, and different pictures. Which is truth? Which is fiction? Or is the truth somewhere in between?

All this makes me wonder where I stand? Many people are cheering and applauding China's efforts. Many others are scoffing and mocking China for distorting the truth. But for me, I prefer to cheer people who are making good efforts. I'm a builder and problem solver at heart. I hate to sit back and throw stones at the people who are trying their best. Beijing is taking heroic and very expensive steps to improve the air for the Olympics Let's give them a break and say, "Let's GO China!"

I love Beijing but there is no doubt the air pollution can be stifling and overwhelming like a thick blanket. Hopefully Beijing's version of the truth is closer to reality this time. I hope the air will be clean enough for foreign athletes and visitors to enjoy the beauty and friendliness of Beijing.