Between November 1 and 6 more than half the government cars in
Beijing will be banned from city streets to ensure traffic flows
smoothly during the four-day China-Africa Cooperation Forum
summit.
The opening ands closing times for places of work, schools and
department stores would also be adjusted to avoid congestion,
authorities explained yesterday on television.
Addressing the importance of road safety during the summit the
traffic watchdog said African leaders would be staying in several
hotels throughout in the city and may require to travel long
distances for meetings.
The traffic plan stipulates that half of the vehicles used by
state work units and Party institutions, military forces and their
affiliates would be banned from the streets during the summit.
Also banned will be 80 percent of government vehicles from every
suburb and county in Beijing Municipality and from the city offices
of every other province and municipality.
For privately-owned and company cars drivers are advised to
avoid major routes likely to be used by foreign guests during the
summit. These routes include Chang'an Avenue, the east and west
second ring roads and the airport expressway.
Taxis without passengers are strictly banned from entering
Chang'an Avenue, the east and west Second Ring Roads, Sanlihe
Street, the roads to the east and west of Tian'anmen Square and the
road to the west of the Great Hall of the People.
All drivers are also encouraged to avoid the main airport
expressway and instead to use the northern road that also links the
airport to the city.
(China Daily October 26, 2006)