Beijing

06 August 2008 -- The flame of the Beijing Olympics has arrived in the capital city for the final leg of its international relay ahead of Friday's opening ceremonies.

Thousands of enthusiastic residents cheered and waved Chinese flags as Wednesday's relay began with a lighting ceremony at the Forbidden City. China's first man in space, Yang Liwei, was the first to carry the torch, followed by other Chinese celebrities, including National Basketball Association star Yao Ming.

Despite the tight security in Beijing, foreign activists staged two separate demonstrations to protest China's human rights record. Four foreigners were detained for displaying giant banners near the main Olympic "Bird's Nest" stadium, calling for a free Tibet.    » read more »

4 August 2008 -- As China makes last minute preparations to host the Olympics, the environment is proving to be one major wild card that Chinese leaders cannot totally control. Olympic host city Beijing has some of the most polluted air in the world. Despite measures aimed at clearing the skies, the air is still often a disturbing murky gray.

These days, people watch the skies above Beijing closely. Some days, especially after it rains, the skies are relatively clear.

More often than not, though, a thick murky haze fills the air and makes it nearly impossible to see nearby buildings.

What is causing Beijing's gray skies? Is it natural phenomena, or is it pollution?    » read more »

Hainan Airlines now offering the only non-stop flight between the Northwest and China

June 9, 2008 -- SEA-TAC – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today helped greet passengers arriving on Hainan Airlines’ new direct passenger flight between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Beijing, and proclaimed today, “Hainan Airlines’ Day,” in Washington.

Hainan’s new flight is the first non-stop commercial flight between the Washington state and China since 1997. “This new direct flight is great economic news for Washington,” Gregoire stated during the celebration. “It comes at a time when other parts of the nation are facing a struggling economy, and airlines are being impacted by high fuel prices and even consolidating or limiting existing flights.”    » read more »