Source: CCTV.com

02-29-2008 16:04

Transportation is a critical element in people's daily lives, and can also reflect a country's economy. How has transportation changed since China carried out the Opening Up Policy in 1979? In these two episodes of Up-Close, we invite a traveler, a transportation professor, and a Canadian-Chinese living in China to share their different perspectives.

Many years ago, the stream of bicycles on Beijing's streets gave the world a deep impression and China was given the name "Kingdom of Bicycles". But although bicycles used to be the major means of transportation in China, the Chinese people have always had their dream of cars. And now, the dream has come true. China has become a country which produces and sells huge numbers of automobiles every year. Beijing alone has 3 million vehicles, and on average 1000 new cars are being added to the roads each day. This bring more convenience to individuals, however, the increase in private cars brings new trouble. Traffic jams bring constant headache. Can we solve the traffic problem during the 2008 Olympics and onward? The government is trying best to improve the public transportation system to release the traffic pressure in Beijing.

Public transportation is not only developing quickly in Beijing, but all over the country. The bus, the subway, the train, the airplane...they change a lot day after day. Our guests and audience have many stories to share with you in these two episodes. Want to know more? Join us on Up-Close!

Editor:Liu Fang