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People who live in Beijing but enjoy no permanent residence
registration in the city will now be able to buy cars in the capital for
the first time.
The move was announced by the Beijing vehicle administration
authorities, and was due to come into effect yesterday.
The revised vehicle
registration regulation is in line with the
national capital's attitude towards removing barriers for migrant workers.
Under the rule change, anyone, even if they do not have a Beijing
household registration card, will be allowed to buy a car in Beijing.
Out-of-town drivers need their ID cards, temporary
resident documents, their vehicle purchasing invoice
and other documents to apply for a
licence.
Owning a car is no longer a privilege just for native Beijingers.
Reaction to the news was mixed, according to notes posted on a website.
One web user expressed satisfaction on the lifting of the ban, saying
he is considering buying a sedan following price reductions across China
in recent months.
But another web user said he was not so pleased at the news.
"I bought a car about 10 days ago in the name of one of my good Beijing
friends," he said.
"If I apply to re-register the owner's name on the licence I'll have to
pay an extra 2,000 yuan (US$240)," he complained.
Changing the ownership of a car costs about 2.5 per cent of the
vehicle's value.
Traffic police also expressed their concern about the possible sharp
increase in the number of vehicles on Beijing's roads, which are already
clogged with traffic.
Registered cars in Beijing now number 2.27 million, including 1.5
million frequently used on the city's roads, statistics show.
However, the city has so far shown no signs of restricting private
purchases.
Liu Xiaoming, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Communications
Commission, in a recent speech revealed government guidance on this issue.
"The city currently has no restrictions for private sedan use. However,
we're considering raising fees for each car as a administrative measure,"
he said.
Insiders told China Daily that the move to let outsiders buy cars in
Beijing is part of the government's efforts to revitalize the auto market,
which has been in a slump since last year.
(China Daily) | 
Updated: 2005-03-04 10:57
