China is hard at work ensuring that its state-level roads and expressways and urban traffic remain in good order in anticipation of a new round of economic growth.

The Smooth Traffic Project, initiated by the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Construction, is scheduled to begin on February 26 to create a better traffic environment for China's economic progress and people's lives.

Jia Chunwang, minister of Public Security, made a speech at a teleconference Sunday on mobilizing and launching the project. Jia said that with the formulation of China's Tenth Five-Year Plan (2001-2005) and the implementation of the development strategy of western China, the country's economy has entered a new period of rapid development, and this requires higher goals for traffic management.

He called on traffic departments at all levels to improve their professional skills, adhere to the principle of "improving capabilities through science and technology," and win the support and cooperation of everyone.