Nation's capital limits use of private vehicles through Sept 3

Beijing started to restrict the number of private vehicles on its roads on Thursday to ensure blue skies for a major military parade early next month.

Vehicles will be allowed on the roads based on odd or even license plate numbers up to and including Sept 3, when a grand parade marking the 70th anniversary of China's victory in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression will be staged in Tian'anmen Square.

The ban does not apply to ambulances, fire engines, road maintenance vehicles, those carrying foodstuffs, or electric vehicles.