City in China Sets Emission Regulations to Clean Up Air

09/09/96

Reuters reported that the China daily ran a story about attempts to fight pollution from Auto emissions in the industrial city of Chongqing in southwest China. The city will attempt to stall worsening air pollution by banning vehicles that fail to meet emission standards.

Chonqing Authorities issued regulations that require all vehicles to pass an exhaust emissions test before they can navigate the city's streets, said the daily. Drivers who violate the new rules will have their licenses suspended. The regulations will take effect on September 10, and also require all new vehicles produced in the city to pass an emissions test before they are sold.

Chongqing is one of China's largest and most polluted cities and is struggling to improve air quality as the number of cars and trucks on its roads surges. The number of vehicles in Chongqing climbed from 100,000 in 1990 to 180,000 last year.

Last June, Shanghai's environmental bureau ruled that all vehicles would have to install catalytic converters to reduce exhaust emissions.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel