The Chinese central government plans to launch a nationwide campaign to fight automobile trade protectionism across the country in the first half of this year in a bid to promote the development of the auto industry, government sources said on Sunday.

Nine government departments, including the Ministry of Commerce (MOC), the State Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Public Security, will cooperate in the nationwide campaign, according to an official with the MOC.

The central government wants to see local governments abolish of their policies and regulations restricting sales of motor vehicles produced elsewhere, said the official.

The campaign was designed to create a fair market access to motor vehicles, including equal treatment to motor vehicle registry, fee charges, driving and annual inspection.

The official said no area is permitted to limit the right of choices of consumers, demand consumers buy or not buy motor vehicles produced in selected areas, so long as the vehicles are up to national standards.

Central government departments also plan to crack down on production and sales of fake and shoddy car parts and rectify the motor vehicle service sector.

(Xinhua News Agency January 18, 2004)