Beijing to use odd-even traffic ban for large August events

A combination picture shows the Tiananmen Gate on a sunny day (L) and a polluted day in Beijing. Pictures are taken on November 17, 2014 (L) and January 15, 2015 (R). Beijing has witnessed many beautiful blue skies during the APEC meeting last November thanks to the temporary "odd-even" traffic control. [Photo: Xinhua]

BEIJING, Aug. 3 -- Beijing will ban half the cars from the road from Aug. 20 to Sept. 3 to ease traffic during the IAAF track and field World Championships and the World War II victory parade.

Cars will be allowed on alternating days based on odd or even license plate numbers during the period, the municipal government said. The same ban was used last year during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Beijing.

The car ban is expected not only to give Beijing free flow of traffic, but also help improve the air quality.

Eighty percent of official business cars will also be reduced, said Rong Jun, the spokesperson for the city government.

Meanwhile, delivery trucks ensuring the daily necessities of the city will not be affected, Rong said, adding that the number and frequencies of buses at the same time will be increased.

The IAAF championship will be held in Beijing from Aug. 22 to 30.

The military parade on Sept. 3 in Beijing is part of China's series events to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.