(BEIJING, August 17) -- Current environmental and traffic management tests underway in the Olympic City are geared to improve the air quality for the next year's Olympic Games.

So says Du Shaozhong, vice-director of Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau. And improving the air quality, "Beijing is fulfilling its promise to the world" said Du at a press conference here Friday.

"Through these tests, Beijing is accumulating experience for the Olympics and explore ways to curb pollution," he explained.

"Since 1998, the capital city has taken more than 200 measures in this direction", said Du.

He explained that as a result of the readjustment of energy structure, the share of clean energy in use has grown to 3.8 billion cubic meters now from 0.3 billion cubic meters in 1998. More than 10,000 motor vehicles on the roads are now able to meet Euro III emission standard and the number of days with good air quality has risen to 241 in 2006 from 100 previously.

"If the drivers of some 3 million vehicles in the city drive one day less, they can help cut of four to five tons of pollutants," he added.