Although extensively reported by media, including CCTV and Xinhua net, that Beijing is about to launch Phase III vehicle emission standard on July 1, 2005, Beijing EPB clarified yesterday the to be implemented Phase III vehicle emission control related standard is the vehicle fuels quality standard, not vehicle emission standard. The formal launch of Phase III vehicle emission standard is not released to media yet and thus Beijing will not implement it on July 1, according to Xinhua News.

The new Phase III (similar to Euro III) vehicle emission standard has been approved by Beijing government and is awaiting approval from the State Council. It is widely recognized that the implementation of Phase III vehicle emission standard in Beijing is only a matter of time and very much likely to be within this year. Officials from Beijing EPB reminded that the implementation of Phase III vehicle emission standard in Beijing will be announced through media, and upon the formal implementation, all vehicles that only comply with Phase II emission standard will no longer get licensed in Beijing.