However, after the "decisive battle" was fought and won, the environment quickly returned to its usual self as the public zeal for blue skies evaporated and the local authorities relented their coordinated grip on air pollution.

Five years on, the city still chokes on a combination of coal burning, emission from vehicles and bad weather, which the Olympic organizers had envisaged. And the best the hapless residents can do is to stay home and pray for strong winds roaring in to blow away the suspended particles as soon as possible.

Smoggy skies threaten to strike again soon, as the city's hastily announced emergency measures pale in comparison with the Olympic plan and have failed to address some root causes. For example, to ensure blue skies, the city will have to persuade surrounding provinces and cities to cause less pollution, a tough job because all neighboring places are bent on fast economic growth.

Another great concern is the emission from an increasing number of cars in the city, which stood at 5.2 million in 2012, indicating that one in every four Beijing residents owns a car. Tougher but more costly emission standards, overcoming the resistance from car manufacturers and users, are yet to be implemented.

But if China, proud of its ability to mobilize resources and get things done, cannot do it, which country can? Many people are indeed willing to trade off the vanity of owning a car and the freedom of driving around for clean air. The success of the Beijing Olympics is just a case in point.

The latest pollution woes have caused enough embarrassment to the government's ambition to build a "beautiful China". They may just jolt it into another "decisive battle" to save the skies.

The writer is editor-at-large of China Daily. E-mail: dr.baiping@gmail.com

(China Daily 01/19/2013 page5)