2009-01-03 Let's Go Skiing Although the word of winter seems to covey anything but warmth, I believe the idea of going skiing is sure to kindle the passion within many people. Today we will talk about skiing. • Decision-making Mechanism Prior to Encouragement of Pursuit of Innovations • China to Step up Efforts to Improve Net Environment • China Highlights New Year Fiscal Emphasis • India handed over evidence of Mumbai attacks to Pakistan • EU delegation holds talks to push for a cease-fire in Gaza

 
An international Olympic Committee inspection team has praised the organizers of the Beijing 2008 Games for making considerable progress.

As the IOC commission winds up its eighth formal inspection of Beijing's preparations, head of the IOC's 2008 coordination commission, Hein Verbruggen, says its members are 'more and more impressed by the venues' under construction.

The IOC team also says it wants more details on the plans to improve air quality in the city.

Verbruggen says environment issues are not an easy task for host cities of Olympic Games to tackle.

"Until now, we are not totally clear what will be the effects and it's difficult until the start and you have to understand that it is difficult thing because you depend on so many factors when it comes to environment."

He adds that the team members are confident the city will devise adequate measures to guarantee clean air for the athletes.
Meanwhile, the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee, or BOCOG, says it will designate special roads to make sure transport flows smoothly during the games to be held in August next year.

BOCOG Executive Vice-President Jiang Xiaoyu says the local government will take effective measures to better facilitate traffic conditions.

"First, high-emission vehicles will be restricted. Government cars will also be regulated to some extent. We will also encourage citizens to take public transport during the games next year."

BOCOG officials say Beijing plans to keep more than one million cars off the roads, or up to one-third of the city's usual traffic, during the Olympics.

It is estimated there will be over 3 million vehicles in Beijing by 2008, which poses great pressure for traffic management.

The Chinese government has injected a lot of money to improve transportation services and the fund in traffic will increase at an annual rate of 10 percent over the following three years.