The Ministry of Communications is releasing information on expressway traffic during the peak travel season around the Spring Festival, or China's Lunar New Year.

The information is publicized on the website of the ministry, www. moc.gov.cn, and via TV broadcasting.

The ministry is observing round-the-clock traffic volume, directions and speeds of vehicles of main expressways such as Beijing to Shanghai, Beijing to south China's Zhuhai City and Beijing to northeast China's Harbin City, and highways to major cities. Weather information is also provided on the website.

The Spring Festival falls on Feb. 9 this year. The holiday is an important occasion for Chinese families, similar to Christmas in the western world.

Transport facilities are under great pressure during the season as millions of migrant workers, college students and other people shuffle between their hometowns and work places or schools.

China's transport departments take emergency measures for the Spring Festival travel peak season -- from Jan. 25 to March 5 this year.

The ministry has issued highway traffic information during the weeklong holidays of May Day and National Day 2004. Officials from the ministry said the service has proved effective, so it is continued this time.

About 90 percent of the holiday travelers will use highways, the ministry estimated.

The ministry reported that about 90 percent of the expressways had a smooth flow of traffic.

Publicity of highway traffic information will last from Feb. 1 till Feb. 20.

(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2005)