Society

Beijing to control traffic flow during meeting

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-02-27 07:41

BEIJING - Traffic authorities in Beijing said Saturday that temporary restriction measures would soon be imposed on vehicles with out-of-town licenses, as the city ramped up preparations for the upcoming top legislative meeting in March.

The program, which is called "City Moat", will keep non-Beijing registered cars out of the five ring roads from Feb 28 to March 15, said a spokesman for the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau.

Related readings:  Beijing mayor vows to end capital's traffic jams  Beijing unveils measures to ease traffic flow  Major policies released to ease Beijing's traffic  Beijing's 10-year effort in fighting over traffic jam

The use of such vehicles would require a temporary license, which would be valid for one week for passenger buses and three days for cargo vans. Vehicles with special purposes, such as ambulances, will be exempted from the ban.

The period when the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), or China's parliament, and the meeting of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), or the top political advisory body, are being held is usually a time of heightened security for Beijing and the entire country.

In 2010, Beijing police launched security campaigns targeting crimes and fire risks during the period. Neighboring provinces and Tianjin municipality also reinforced checks on vehicles, trains, and flights entering Beijing.

The annual sessions of the NPC and the CPPCC will be held on March 5 and March 3, respectively.