BBQs banned during Asian Games over pollution fears

Authorities in 11 cities in southern China will ban roadside barbecue stalls from November 1 as part of efforts to clean up the air for next month's Asian Games in Guangzhou, state media said Tuesday.

The barbecue ban is the latest in a number of environmental measures taken ahead of the November 12-27 Asiad as officials try to head off any complaints about air pollution from the nearly 12,000 athletes due to compete.

In the run-up to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, officials faced a barrage of criticism about the air quality in the Chinese capital, with Olympic officials even suggesting that some endurance events might have to be cancelled.

Officials in Guangzhou have followed Beijing's lead to head off complaints, imposing traffic restrictions and closing down construction sites and factories for the Games, the world's second-largest sporting event after the Olympics.

Companies have also been banned from doing any interior renovations or repainting during the event, state media said.

Residents however complained the barbecue ban has gone one step too far.

"Barbecues don't cause major air pollution. The government is being a little too oversensitive," 28-year-old Wang Chunsheng, who lives in Guangzhou, told the China Daily.

Another city resident, Yang Yunfan, lamented that the measures would not have long-term benefits as they would be abandoned after the Games.

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