Flame arrives in Beijing as doubt flickers around success of Games

The Olympic flame arrived yesterday in Beijing, a city hoping for a smooth Games but concerned that issues such as security and air pollution could tarnish the event.

With the recent deadly riots in Tibet prompting international calls for a boycott of the August Games, Beijing residents said they were still confident the event would be a success.

'There is nothing we can do to change other people's opinion, the only thing we can do is to do our best in preparing for the Games so that everything can go smoothly,' IT engineer Wang Le said.

Beijing has been put under increasing pressure as international advocacy groups and some politicians call for boycotts of the summer Olympics in protest against its handling of protests in Tibet and human rights.

The mainland government has been fending off criticism by saying the Games should not be politicised.

'I don't really care how many medals Chinese athletes are going to win. I just hope the Games can be a platform for the rest of the world to see the real China, no matter if they see it in a positive or negative light,' Mr Wang said.

Political issues aside, some residents are concerned whether the event will live up to expectations because issues such as air pollution and public security still show no obvious signs of improving.