China's communications ministry vows to improve transport ability in 2005

Zhang Chunxian, minister of Communications, said in Beijing on December 26 that the ministry will improve transportation in 2005 to meet the increasing demands of China's booming economy.

Zhang made the announcement at the country's yearly national meeting for transportation.

According to the ministry, passenger and freight transportation on highways and waterways are expected to reach 17.3 billion people and 14.9 billion tons in 2005, up 5 and 6.4 percent, respectively, over 2004.

The freight and container throughput for ports will grow 500 million tons and 13 million TEU (twenty foot equivalent unit), respectively, to 4.6 billion tons and 75 million TEU.

The ministry will make efforts to guarantee transportation for coal, especially coal for power-generating, Zhang said, adding that priority will also be given to transportation for agricultural products, life necessities and important materials for the national economy such as oil, minerals and food supplies.

Zhang urged all concerned departments to further improve transportation in the Three Gorges area to make it easy for passengers and vessels to pass through the dams.

Meanwhile, Zhang said the ministry will strengthen regulations on overloading next year, aiming to limit overloaded vehicles to under 6 percent.

The Ministry of Communications, along with eight other ministries, began to deal with overloaded vehicles on June 20 when80 percent of all vehicles were overloaded. Now there are 10 percent overloaded vehicles found on highways.

Source: Xinhua