Although the weather was cloudy, Saturday was a bright day for Alto owner Hong Bing, because the city government of Beijing has allowed vehicles with small engine discharge volume to run on the Chang'an Avenue, the most significant road in Beijing.

Beijing used to have restrictions on vehicles whose discharge volume is lower than 1.0 liter, including Alto. The eight-year ban was lifted Saturday on the Chang'an Avenue and the second- and third-ring roads.

"Every car has its right to run on the road," said Hong.

The traffic on Chang'an avenue has been tense, with some 7,000 vehicles per hour. With the list of the ban, some roads will become more congested, said Zhang Jingchun, spokesman for the city's transportation bureau.

Shi Mingzhi, a policeman on duty near Tian'anmen Square, said they will adopt relevant measures to reduce the negative impact of more vehicles on the roads.

(Xinhua News Agency April 2, 2006)