Beijing 2008 has released prices for the 2008 Winter Olympic Games which are priced to ensure the locals have the chance to see the Games first hand. Fifty eight percent of all tickets are priced at or lower than RMB 100 and about 14 per cent of tickets are reserved for Chinese students. Tickets will be available in China in the first half of 2007. More details of the tickets program will be available at that time. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said, “it was very pleased that BOCOG has found an affordable ticketing program which will maximize the opportunity for the Chinese public to enjoy the games, whilst balancing with interest from the international community”.
Although pleased with the ticket prices the IOC said it was worried about the environment and is concerned about air pollution voiced by some athletes at recent test events in China. Beijing officials told the IOC the government would replace taxis and buses with excessive emissions, cut back production at a major steel plant next year and study other measures to improve air quality.
Beijing is to invest 12.46 billion Yuan between 2006 and 2010 to curb worsening water pollution, according to a plan issued Wednesday. Xinhua reports the move aims to guarantee a cleaner water supply for the city ahead of the 2008 Summer Games. The plan jointly issued by Beijing’s environment watchdog and planning agency details proposals for 35 new wastewater treatment plants before 2008. By then Xinhua reports 90 per cent of wastewater in urban Beijing and 50 percent in the suburbs will be treated before it flows into rivers and lakes.
