Organizations in Beijing have launched a series of campaigns Thursday, to mark World Car-Free Day.

The campaigns are calling car owners in the city not to drive on this day, and to choose the subway, biking, or walking instead. Many activities have been held, including college students holding billboards on the streets, and celebrities helping to spread the word.

Organization officials say car-free doesn't mean rejecting cars, but that it should be a day of reclaiming the streets and the city from motor engines.

However, according to the coordinator, they are eying for stronger influence. The campaigns are expected to raise people's awareness of environmental protection, thus they will try not to drive as much as possible.

An online survey by sohu.com shows that half of the respondents have never heard of Word Car-Free Day, and some even drive just hundreds of meters to do errands.

Statistics show currently the Chinese capital has nearly 2.5 million motorcars.

World Car-Free Day was first originated in France in 1998.

(CRI September 22, 2005)