Jan. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Beijing started enforcing a stricter auto fuel standard yesterday as part of efforts to reduce pollution in time for the Olympic Games in August, the Xinhua news agency reported, citing a government official.

Gasoline and diesel sold in the capital must meet the China IV standards, equivalent to the European Union's Euro IV requirements, the state-run agency reported yesterday, citing Du Shaozhong, deputy director of the Beijing Environment Protection Bureau.

Beijing introduced China III fuel standards, with the goal of cutting annual sulfur dioxide emissions by 2,480 metric tons annually, at the end of 2005, the report said. The latest benchmark is intended to cut annual emissions by a further 1,840 tons, it said.

To contact the reporters on this story: Winnie Zhu in Shanghai at wzhu4@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: January 1, 2008 20:53 EST