In the run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, China has rolled out ambitious projects to spruce up its capital city.
Nationwide campaigns have been launched to rid the Chinese of their bad habits. Meanwhile, massive clean-up activities aimed at beautifying the city are now in progress. Eager to showcase the country's new-found glory, the central government has left no stone unturned in their drive to stage the 'Biggest Show on Earth'.
While everyone in China is eagerly anticipating the epic event, some people have called for a boycott of the Games.
Activists from around the world have launched stinging attacks against China's crackdown on freedom of speech and human rights abuses.
Western nations have also accused Beijing of backing the corrupt Sudanese government, which has been blamed for the genocide in the Darfur region.
With China supplying arms to Sudan and investing heavily in industries there, it has become more difficult to halt the atrocities, critics say.
