To celebrate World Environment Day June 5, several departments of Chengdu municipal government jointly called for a car-free day in the city. The campaign won wide support from local citizens. Two of the media comments follow:

Ji'nan Times:

As a city with 1.6 million automobiles, Chengdu ranks the third nationwide for the number of family cars. A car-free day, if observed monthly in Chengdu, would reduce the total pollution by 4 percent, according to an expert.

Private cars are increasingly popular for efficiency in time and comfort. However, they increase traffic congestion and pollution.

The authorities should put more effort into public transportation if they want to persuade people not to drive their own cars, even for one single day.

Measures should be taken to facilitate travel by pedestrians and cyclists. People need more incentives for choosing public transport and bikes.

Public transportation should be diversified. Subways, buses and trains should all be available. More importantly, passengers should find it convenient to switch among different public transportation vehicles.

Dahe News:

It is a good opportunity for public education when the authorities launch a car-free day on World Environment Day. However, they have neglected some environmental issues more important than automobile emissions.

Currently, industrial pollution is the biggest threat to China's environment. Enterprises have caused several major pollution accidents in recent years because they intentionally ignored rules and regulations.

The water quality in major rivers and lakes is also deteriorating because of industrial pollution along their banks.

On World Environment Day, the authorities should address the major polluters instead of trying to imitate other countries with a car-free day.

Admittedly, car-free days take place in many European countries. This is because automobile emissions are the No 1 pollutant since huge numbers of automobiles are owned by local people. Industry pollution is insignificant in these countries.

Now that reducing industrial pollution is a priority in China, the authorities should design campaigns against the polluting enterprises.

(China Daily 06/06/2007 page10)