With August approaching, Beijing's government is hastily preparing for the Olympics. Of many issues relevant to the Games, the improvement of air quality, in particular, is drawing the attention of Beijing residents and the world community.

Shougang Group is a giant steel manufacturer once based in Beijing, and it has long been accused of polluting the city's environment. To improve Beijing's deteriorating environment, and to open up a larger space of development, Shougang decided to move its plants to the nearby province of Hebei three years ago. Also, last year, to ensure a bluer sky during the Games, the group promised to shrink its production by 4 million tons in the year 2008.

Public opinions, however, vary greatly on the issue. Some people acclaim it as the enterprise's sense of responsibility to society. Others strongly doubt if the group can meet its commitment in due time and some fear Shougang's decreased production will affect its listed company and therefore wreak havoc on the country's volatile stock market.

On March 11, Zhu Jimin, President of Shougang Group, met the press on the sideline of the First Session of the 11th National People's Congress. He told the media: "Shrinking production by 400 tons is Shougang's solemn commitment to the world. This will not change and we will make all our efforts to keep our word."

To ensure the reduction of production, Shougang mapped out a plan covering several stages. In the first stage, the steel giant will curb its production by 25 percent. In the second stage, 40,000 tons of producing capacity will be discontinued. During and after the Olympics, further reduction will be achieved.

The 4 million tons of reduction is indeed a difficult task, but in this way, it will be achieved "smoothly as scheduled", Mr. Zhu told the press. On January 5, 2008, Shougang held a grand ceremony to initiate its reduction program.

Concerning the performance of Shougang's listed company, Mr. Zhu said, "First of all, the business of the listed company is not included into the reduction program. Thus, although the group will suffer a great deal in this process, the listed company will maintain its normal operation. Second, in case the listed company may be influenced inadvertently, measures have been made to make sure everything will proceed smoothly. Third, as a business entity responsible for its own profit and loss, Shougang will surely try all it can to maintain its development momentum and to protect the interests of its shareholders.

"The whole program," Mr. Zhu said, "will be released to the public before long. Please be patient to wait."

(China.org.cn by staff reporter Chen Xia, March 14, 2008)