Beijing has ordered all government cars citywide to keep off the road for one day each week, as part of the efforts to save energy, Beijing News reports.

As learned from the latest government bulletin Saturday, the vehicles used for or in connection with governments at all levels, social organizations, institutions and state-owned enterprises will be banned on roads one day each week. The driving ban, divided into five groups, will apply to all the government cars from Monday to Friday, depending on the last digit of the license plates.

According to the notice, government cars with license plates ending in 1 or 6 will be banned from the roads on Mondays. Those with plates ending in 2 or 7 will be banned on Tuesdays, and so on.

Earlier on August 1, the State Council issued a circular to start a nationwide campaign for energy conservation, the first of such kind. It has ordered all local governments and other authorities to cut down on the use of cars and other energy-consuming equipment.

This driving ban is one of the ten measures included in the circular to promote energy saving habits among the public, especially government employees.

At the same time, the campaign asks employees to make less use of cars, lights, elevators and air conditioners.

Summer casual dresses are promoted for government employees for ordinary official activities, except in rare occasions, as required in the new regulation.

(CRI September 14, 2008)