CHINESE WALK UP A SPIRAL STAIRCASE IN FRONT OF A FACTORY CHIMNEY IN BEIJING, 2000-02-29...

Chinese pedestrians use a spiral staircase to cross a main road as a factory chimney looms in the background in Beijing February 29. The Chinese capital, one of the most polluted cities in the world, continues to suffer serious air pollution due to its excessive reliance on coal, growing auto exhaust emission and more than 700 polluting state enterprises, many of which are on the verge of bankruptcy. The National People's Congress, or parliament, which opens its annual session on March 5, is expected to address some of the pressing environmental problems.    ASW/TS