CRI听力:Legislators Support Removal of Driving Restriction from Law Amendment

An amendment to the anti-air pollution laws has been submitted for vote at the ongoing session of the National People's Congress Standing Committee this week after driving ban provisions were removed.

Lawmaker Hao Ruyu, arguing in support of the new move, says removing the driving restrictions will protect citizens' rights to property.

"People pay to buy cars and pay taxes for the cars. Banning people from driving on certain days equates to deprivation of citizen's rights to property."

Hao Ruyu argues the provisions need to be removed immediately, noting the rapidly growing list of cities imposing driving bans.

Allowing vehicles to be banned from the roads was first written into the draft amendment in December.

However, it's been widely opposed by the public.

The second draft was put forward in June.

It added another clause suggesting local governments take into accounts public opinions before adopting such bans.

NPC delegate Gu Shengzu says instead of issuing bans on vehicle, authorities should scrap the idea of banning people from their vehicles.

"Economic incentives, rather than a direct ban on driving, should be applied to restrict vehicles on the road for the sake of air quality."

At the same time, NPC delegates are suggesting it should be up to local governments, and not the central authorities, to determine whether or not driving bans should be imposed.

Meanwhile, new calls are being made to increase fuel quality in China.

Sun Baoshu is with the NPC's Law Committee.

"The national fuel standards allow for more alkene and arene discharges than the standards for motor vehicles. These two chemicals have proven a major source of PM2.5."

Lawmakers at this week's sessions are also calling for legislation against burning straw, as well as new rules connected to aircraft fuels.

For CRI, I'm Yu Yang.