Xinhua has released the long-awaited details on the traffic restrictions to be put into place in advance of the Summer Games.

Beijing is to ban vehicles with even and odd-numbered license plates on alternate days from July 20 to Sept. 20 to help improve air quality for the Olympic Games, the city has announced. Exceptions to the restrictions will include taxis, buses and emergency vehicles, said a statement on the website (www.bjjtwgov.cn) of the Beijing Municipal Committee of Communications.

The statement said the intention of the restrictions was to improve traffic flows and air quality during the Olympics and Paralympics, and to fulfill Beijing’s commitment to host a “green Olympics.” In the statement, the municipal government said the measure would be enforced throughout the city until August 28, but only in areas within the Fifth Ring Road and three freeways connecting downtown Beijing to the airport, Badaling and Chengde from August 28 to Sep. 20.

The municipal government is also to ban all motor vehicles that fail to meet the European No.1 standard for exhaust emissions as well as trucks registered outside Beijing without special permits from July 1. It is believed the temporary traffic controls will leave 70 percent of cars owned by government departments and institutions in the city in the garage.

To compensate motorists for the restrictions, all vehicle owners will be exempted from taxes and road maintenance fees for three months, costing the government 1.3 billion yuan (186 million U.S. dollars). During a test of the controls from August 17 to 20 last year, about 1.3 million vehicles were taken off the city roads each day and the emissions discharged were cut by 5,815 tons, according to a report by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Environmental Protection.

Posted by Adam Steinberg Olympic Forum co-chair

During last month’s Washington, DC policy advocacy trip, AmCham-China members met with former Pennsylvania Governor and former Homeland Security Director, and current McCain campaign national co-chair Tom Ridge. For Ridge Global LLC’s website:

The delegation, whose participants met with Capitol Hill legislators, think tanks and trade groups, sat down with Ridge Global’s chief executive to discuss the challenges and opportunities of export controls, trade security, VISA issues and other matters facing American industry in an increasingly interdependent global economy.

“America’s security and prosperity is tied to the security and prosperity of the rest of the world,” said Secretary Ridge following the event. “To remain a leader in the competitive economy, we must advance the co-mingling of ideas, innovation, collaboration and ongoing friendship with our friends and allies.”

During the annual event, which follows the release of the White Paper, an AmCham delgation meets with top US decision makers from both parties to help improve US-China economic policy.

Quality lodgings in Beijing during the August Olympic Games may become a hot commodity.  Yet an AmCham-China member company tells us they have a number of rooms available during that time at a 5-star hotel with excellent facilities and grounds.  The hotel, the Loong Palace Hotel & Resort (www.loongpalace.com), is located about 15 minutes from the Olympic Park.  Rooms are available at a variety of prices and types, including standard, one- and two-bedroom duplexes and suites. Block bookings from August 7 to August 25 are preferred.

If you or your company are interested, please contact Michelle for details, prices, exact availability, etc.  Reach her via email at michelle0711@gmail.com