Beijing prepares for APEC summit by reducing pollution

BEIJING, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- Beijing is preparing for an important summit meeting, beginning Wednesday, with plans to curb traffic and air pollution issues.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit meeting is promoted as a gathering to deepen economic integration and free trade, as China's Foreign Minister Wang Li said, as well as an opportunity to "bring up the difficult topic of integrating the Asia-Pacific region," according to Zhang Yunling of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

The city of Beijing has challenges of its own. Beginning Monday and for the duration of the summit, only half of the city's cars will be allowed on the road at any time, depending on odd or even-number license plates, to ease the notorious pollution and traffic congestion. Schools will be closed, with students making up classes on upcoming weekends, and local iron and steel mills will work with reduced schedules. The People's Daily, the Communist Party-run newspaper, predicted a "clean air, beautiful environment" and "meticulous service" with "Chinese characteristics" for the guests, and China National Radio noted all construction work in Beijing has been stopped during the summit, and the "strictness of the measures has even surpassed that of the 2008 Beijing Olympics".

The summit will include a "leader's meeting" on Nov. 10-12, which will include U.S. President Barack Obama.