The Chinese northern city of Harbin started on Sunday a half-month-long control of vehicle use to ensure smoother traffic for the 24th Winter Universiade set to open on Feb. 18.

According to a traffic control regulation running from Feb. 15 to March 1, vehicles with even and odd plate number run on alternate days in 19 major lanes of the city, to improve air quality and ease traffic pressure.

Meanwhile, 47 downtown streets are dedicated as special lanes for the Winter Universiade and only open to vehicles serving the events.

However, city buses, taxis and those vehicles used for the Games were free of the rule.

The 24th Winter Universiade, which will be held from Feb. 18-28, is a high level international sports event held in China after the Beijing Olympics. So far, over 3,800 athletes from 44 countries and regions have confirmed to attend the Games.

Harbin's preparation for the Winter Universiade is in full swing.

According to Guo Mingyu, deputy secretary-general of the Organizing Committee, the budget for the facilities of upcoming Winter Universiade is about 2.6 billion yuan (US$370 million). Ministries of the central government, relevant departments in Heilongjiang Province and the Harbin municipal government have co-invested in the Games.

President George Killian of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) said on Saturday Harbin was "all ready" for the Games.

"Most of the sports facilities for the Games are newly built with most advanced technologies. The success of the Winter Universiade would lay solid foundation for Harbin to bid for future Winter Olympics," he said.

The German delegation arrived in Harbin on Saturday as the first foreign team to move into the atheletes' village.

(Xinhua News Agency February 16, 2009)