generalspeaking

The world came to Beijing, and those who did not, watched, mesmerized, as their television sets displayed the full magic of what China meant the world to see; itself as a world power, more than equal to any other advanced nation - surpassing them - and its athletes incomparably well trained, fully complicit with the state to demonstrate superior athleticism and sporting spirit.

The vastness and beauty of China and its people is indeed captivating. Not quite so mesmerizing is the prevailing atmosphere, because this giant nation, the most populous on Earth, hungry for energy mastery and exponentially growing its manufacturing capacity and trade monopolies is highly dependent on coal-fired furnaces to move its industrial base.

There are coal stacks everywhere in Beijing, as throughout the country in China's great metropolises; cities bursting with people and industry. And all that burning of fossil fuels, let alone imported oil, releases a horrendous amount of environmental pollution; sulphur oxides, nitrous oxide, mercury, lead. The health of the people suffers enormously as a result.

And during the Olympics an order went out to local industry that they were expected to take a break. Coal-fired energy consumption stopped, with the hope that the heavy grey smog that muffles the city stinging eyes, stifles breathing - and curtains the sun, could be ameliorated for the duration of the Games. Since then, of course, China's industrial base has continued to grow, and with it greater energy consumption.

A mere few days ago China cancelled hundreds of flights and shut down expressways as thick smog fell on Beijing, leaving visibility at such a low ebb that international flights in and out were completely unfeasible. Air quality had reached "hazardous" levels, although the official Xinhua news agency characterized the level at merely "dangerous".