Harish Palaniappan's

Look at China. No wonder they call it the dragon.

Chinese have been making every possible reform, and changing their country every day since they got the nod to host 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

The international Olympics association chairman himself said in an interview after reviewing preparations in china, that he has never come across such large scale, long-term preparation for any event before, and that he is sure china is going to give the world the best Olympics so far.

Beijing has about 3 million cars or more (WOW so much infrastructure to support), and has identified that cars are the major reason for the Beijing's bad air.. due to pollution it is always fogged. This has always created a serious doubt whether the Olympics in Beijing will be anything at all under such climate.

This week, China has pulled down more than 4 million cars in and around Beijing, approx. 1 million cars each day for 4 days, for experimenting pollution improvements.. obviously against people convenience.

How did they do that.. ordered on first day that no even number plated car with numbers between a range shall not be seen on the road on first day, if seen the owner will be fined for not obeying orders... similarly more cars were to be off the next days.

The four day test is over, and this is what Xinhua news agency reports:

Beijing's overall air quality improved during the four-day test period ahead of next August's Olympic Games in which more than a million cars each day were barred from the roads, according to the Beijing Environment Protection Monitoring Center.

The test resulted in the removal of five million cars from roads in downtown Beijing and the air quality was classified as "fairly good" for the duration of the four days.

Chinese government seems to have got the people their side in this, and the attitude is that they do anything to make Olympics a very successful event for china, because such a global event, and global attention was long long craved for... which they obviously understand would be the best opportunity ever to market themselves as a great country to do business with.

I remember reading news a few months back that a lot of people are taking english classes in china to cope up with international business expectations, and even courses to improve their communication levels with businesses in the west. One of the reports had a photograph of what seemed like at least 3000 people in one of such big open air course sessions.

I wouldn't be surprised if Chinese go ahead and announce the entire period of Olympics a holiday in Beijing and may be even surrounding areas, ban 90% of cars and encourage Chinese people to walk in Beijing during Olympics to keep all pollution minimum.

If you wouldn't think they would do that... they are at it already.. news is that around 50,000 bicycles are going to be made available for rent in Beijing during Olympics.

My most favorite part of Beijing's preparation for Olympics is the bird's nest. Dubbed the bird's nest stadium, below pictures show the design of Beijing's National stadium specifically prepared for hosting the 2008 Olympics.

By the way, when is the Olympics in 2008: August 8 – 24
Yes, same time next year we will be busy not talking but seeing Beijing's biggest marketing jig along with by all probablity I think the best Olympics ever.