Closure of factories will not hit economy

Beijing's economic growth this year will not be significantly affected by its plans to temporarily shut down factories, reduce their production, and limit the use of cars to improve air quality during the Olympic Games, an official said yesterday.

Yu Xiuqin, deputy head of the Beijing municipal bureau of statistics, said the impact will not be great because many large factories had already been moved out of the city, and those forced to close temporarily, will be able to adjust.

"These factories anticipated (the shutdowns), and so they will be able to take appropriate measures. There will be some impact, but it will not be great," Yu said.