With just over a week left to go before the Olympics, strong wind and rain have helped improve air quality in Beijing. But the Chinese government isn't taking any chances, eyeing "emergency measures" that still may not be enough to clear the skies. On the ground, officials are hiding buildings and areas considered to be Olympic eyesores behind newly erected walls. Despite increased security measures, violence broke out among some 50,000 people waiting in line when the final batch of Olympic tickets went on sale Friday. Olympic organizers apologized for a scuffle between police and reporters in Hong Kong.
For more on China's run-up to the Olympics, check out FP's photo essay and list of five ways the Beijing Olympics will be the "biggest, baddest ever."
More Olympics
China's anti-doping officials are planning the toughest drug-testing program in Olympic history. What's more, a new sex determination lab will test female Olympians suspected to be males. U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback suspects the Chinese government is planning to spy on hotel guests during the games.
Politics
Authorities detained a teacher who had posted images of schools that collapsed in the Sichuan earthquake on the Internet. Vice President Xi Jinping expressed concern over the ICC's case against Sudanese president Hassan al-Bashir, as Sudan's finance minister visited Beijing Tuesday. The Dalai Lama met with John McCain in Colorado Friday. China's Foreign Ministry was not pleased.
Economy
An unlikely alliance between China and India helped spur this week's breakdown in the Doha trade talks. An anticipated coal shortage may spark an electricity crisis. China is spending an estimated $40 billion on fuel subsidies this year, while also accounting for 40 percent of the world's recent increase in demand for oil. With 253 million users, China is now the world's biggest Internet market. Hong Kong and the mainland agreed to further enhance economic ties. Hong Kong Disneyland is expected to benefit.
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