Beijing struggles to become a global, livable city

A man carries a package as he walks along a street at a Central Business District in Beijing on April 1, 2015.(Photo: Wang Zhao, AFP/Getty Images)

BEIJING — Strict visa rules, choking air pollution, slow Internet and blocked websites are major impediments as this capital strives to reach a lofty global status in the next five years, a major international business group warned Thursday.

Craving the prestige of New York and London, the Chinese government is following a master plan to elevate Beijing's prestige by 2020, just two years before the capital's likely hosting of the Winter Olympics, which would make the city the first to host both the summer and winter games.

In a two-horse race toward the final vote in July, this traffic-snarled home of 21.5 million people looks the strong favorite over Kazakhstan's Almaty for the 2022 Winter Olympics. Yet Beijing — which held the 2008 Summer Games — still struggles to meet its own goals of transforming into both a global city and a more livable metropolis.

The European Chamber of Commerce in China — a group of 1,800 member companies — issued a position paper Thursday urging Beijing to live up to its commercial potential and catch up with Shanghai, China's bustling financial center.

"Beijing has become synonymous for Big Government. This image needs to change," said Mats Harborn, a Swedish businessman and chamber vice president.

After 25 years here, Harborn considers Beijing his hometown. He wants "an open, accessible city" that "must be attractive for people to work and live in and play in," he said.

Choking smog often brings gray skies to the capital that on many days — including Thursday — greatly exceeds the levels recommended by the World Health Organization. U.S. and European firms say the pollution puts off rising numbers of foreign executives and their families.

Smog may affect foreign investment into Beijing, but the government is determined to better enforce rules and punish polluters, said Mao Boyang, an official in the international co-operation department of the municipal environmental protection bureau.

"Los Angeles and London both went through this process in the past, but now the Chinese public pay more attention and there is more public information," he said.

A year ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for Beijing to develop into a "world-class, harmonious and livable city." Early this year, Beijing Mayor Wang Anshun admitted the going was tough.

"At the present time, however, Beijing is not a livable city," said Wang, who laid the blame on overpopulation.

The capital, facing severe shortages of water and other resources, will try to cap its population at less than 23 million in 2020, Beijing vice mayor Li Shixiang said last month.

To become a truly global city, China needs a less restrictive visa regime that allows in foreign workers ages 60 or over and younger employees without the required two years' work experience, Harborn said.

Compared to decades ago, Beijing is better suited for doing business, but less suitable for old and young people to live in, said Cao Tiebin, 68, a retired worker from a Beijing agricultural machinery factory.

"It's far from the best and most harmonious city in the world. We need clean air, smooth traffic, so the government must control the population and punish more corrupt officials," Cao said. "As a retired man, I wish there were more low-price, good quality retirement houses for us, then I don't have to live with my kids."

Contributing: Sunny Yang

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