About 100 environment-friendly newstands have opened on streets in Baotou city in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

The new stainless steel booths to sell books and newspapers are equipped with electric heaters instead of traditional coal stoves to avoid air pollution.

The booths replace the old randomly scattered newstands which covered public sidewalks and blocked traffic in many places, said urban construction officials.

Each booth has cost around 40,000 yuan (US$ 4,800) and they will be contracted out to self-employed individuals.

( Xinhua News Agency March 6, 2002)