China limits use of official cars to curb waste, pollution

China has launched a nationwide reform campaign on the use of cars by government and other bureaucratic officials, in a bid to cut unnecessary expenditures and reduce pollution.

The reforms will abolish privileges for public servants, to use official cars for general business. The new measures will only allow for the use of official cars in order to conduct confidential communications, during emergencies, special situations, and for police to enforce the law or to perform security duty. Public servants who have to use cars for official business will be offered a subsidy to cover transport expenses.

The latest round of reforms will apply to staff in central and local government organs who are below the ministerial and department levels. The trial project will be completed in the central government and state organs by the end of this year, and local government and organizations by 2015. The reforms will also be carried out in public institutions, state-owned enterprises and state-owned financial companies.