What will the Olympics mean for the people of Beijing

Xia Shishan, taxi driver: "It is great for the country in lots of ways - tourism, economics, politics - but our business is worse. The government has cut public transport fares by 60% and the subway lines are being extended. We are losing customers." Photograph: Jonathan Watts/freelance

Cecilia Li Wenxuan, Olympic volunteer: "I have had an Olympic complex since 1993 (when Beijing failed in its initial bid to win the games). I was disappointed, so was my family, so was the whole country." Photograph: Jonathan Watts/freelance

Jiang Sheng, Olympic technical services manager: "China takes the Olympics too seriously. Everyone thinks it is too important, that we cannot make a single mistake ... but it should be fun. It should be about going into the street, talking to foreigners, drinking beer and celebrating together." Photograph: Jonathan Watts/freelance

Yu Xiaoxuan, deputy minister of environment and construction: "Since 2002, when Beijing gained the right to host the Olympics, the air quality has improved every year ... but we are a developing country. In the short term we cannot reach the standards of London, Paris or New York." Photograph: Jonathan Watts/freelance

Yang Lei, captain of China's Paralympic basketball team: "My family's condition is very bad. Recently I have worried about that a lot. When I am old, I won't be able to get money like I do now and our condition will get worse." But he likes the respect that comes from being an Olympic aspirant and sees the games as a chance to realise bigger ambitions. "I will feel a sense of pride if I can play for China, in China." Photograph: Jonathan Watts/freelance

Zhou Chenguang, PE teacher and Olympic evangelist: "I don't have any religious or political convictions. So you can say that the Olympics is my main belief ... I believe that when the Olympics comes to China the main objective should be to bring goodness in a practical way. The environment is a worlwide concern. We want the Olympics to make our country greener and healthier." Photograph: Jonathan Watts/freelance

Sun Yunyu, owner of home demolished in the name of Olympic development: "Hutong culture is the unique feature of Beijing ... but now it is being destroyed and fake history is replacing it ... They shouldn't use the Olympics as an excuse to take away our basic rights." Photograph: Jonathan Watts/freelance

Li Ping, hairdresser: "There is a rumour that we will be closed down ahead of the games ... it is possible that I will be watching the Olympics on TV in my home in Hebei." Photograph: Jonathan Watts/freelance