Final push to clear smog-choked skies before Olympics

BEIJING started its most drastic pollution-control plan yesterday, restricting car use and limiting factory emissions in a last push to clear smog-choked skies for the August Olympics.

Under the two-month plan, half of Beijing’s 3.3 million cars will be removed from streets on alternate days, depending on whether the licence plate has an odd or even number.

Skies were relatively clear yesterday and traffic was light. But the real test will come when the work week begins today.