SHIJIAZHUANG, Aug. 21 -- Cities in the northern province of Hebei have followed Beijing's lead and rolled out car restrictions to improve air quality as China gears up to commemorate the end of World War II.

Baoding and Langfang, which rank among the worst cities for air quality in China, began its ban on Thursday. It will last until Sept. 3 or 4. Vehicles are allowed on the roads on alternating days depending on their license plate numbers.

In Baoding the ban will last between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. every day, the city's traffic police said.

In Cangzhou City, Hebei Province, meanwhile, the ban will begin next Monday and last until Sept. 4.

Hebei will improve the monitoring of emissions from vehicles as well as spot checks on Beijing-bound vehicles between Aug. 28 to Sept. 4.

Beijing started its traffic ban on Thursday. The capital city is hosting two big events in the next few weeks, the IAAF track and field World Championships, from Aug. 22 to 30, and the World War II victory parade, on Sept. 3.