Pollution levels in Beijing may have reached hazardous levels, but China's love of the car continues as the popularity of the Beijing auto show proves.

Under pressure to clear the skies before the 2008 Olympics, China has pledged to cut emissions which are currently running at the highest level that can be recorded.

But with one of the world's fastest growing car markets, the pledge looks set to be a tough battle.

This year alone more than 7 million cars have been sold in China. Before long, the Chinese car market will rank second after the US, putting Japan in third place.

And at the Beijing auto show, where up to 500,000 visitors are expected, China's new middle class seek to leave their communist past behind and embrace the trappings of modern life - even if the consequences for the planet are dire.

Jason Li from the China Automobile Association explains the lure of the car: "It symbolises freedom, it symbolises success, it symbolises the growing development of China," he says.

"It symbolises China taking its rightful place in the world."

One of the visitors to the auto show, 27-year-old Zhang Lin, said: "It means we are getting closer to these luxury cars and it opens our eyes. We common people normally don't have the chance to see these cars, but now we may have a try."