The 2008 Olympics will affect Beijing and possibly the rest of China.
Previous Olympics have boosted the economy of countries like Japan and Korea, elevating them to a higher status in the views of other nations.
The Beijing Olympics will certainly boost the economy of Beijing, because of the prices of the Olympics, namely, tourism. However, many surrounding factories have been shut down momentarily to prevent more air pollution so that the athletes may compete in a safe environment. The workers are getting paid an average on three American dollars per day, which is almost a third of their average regular salary. They will be less able to contribute to the economy.
Some of the workers from the factories are enjoying their holidays. The labor price is very low in China, and the workers have not received any days off in years. However, some are finding it hard to get by with their minimal pay.
The factories were originally shut down to reduce air pollution. There still remains a smoggy haze around Beijing - it didn't help much.
The cost of cleaning up the Beijing area after the Olympics, of reducing extra pollution caused by the tourism, and of starting up the factories again may cause a decline in the boost of China's economy.
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