I am sure the standards are different. I wouldn't know who's standards are highest - China or EU. It's a valid debate, but it seems unfair if we jump to conclusions without evidence about any countries fire safety procedures. The UK has had its fair share of stadia disasters.
For sure the EU norms are better, for now and for general speaking, but China are looking to renovate and prosper,... and the this Olympics is a great chance for China to show its best..., also in a decade time I may change my mind the other way round, the Chinese standard could be better than EU norms or at least equal. Bear in mind we still hear about disasters in Chinese mines and building's fires, probably because they are a lot comparing to any European country...
Just a little Joke: one day one of the European countries went to China to seek advice about immigration invading its country and needs to find out how to cope with, the Chinese prime minister said: tel me first how much population have you got? the European prime minister said about 60million. Then the Chinese prime minister was straight away disappointed by saying sorry we don't deal with any private family problems...'
With all my respect to human being who ever they are.
I would suggest that the main reason that China can built quicker than us is their lack of tendering process or debate about who funds what. It is much quicker for an organisation to build their own stadium than to employ a "design and build" contractor, which is how we do things. I would suggest that it is a reflection on our capitalist desire to control cost compated to their top down approch that speeds things up rather than skimping.
Regarding building quicker, the Chinese use what is known as (Crew: 3/8) every 8 hours a new crew takes over, the project keeps on going for 24/7, so the project of 3 years may take in Chinese management just 1 year or less, top it up with the poor work legislations in china and the cheap labor... they are fast growing and this is already affecting us we are living with (Made in China) on a daily basis...