Beijing will spend one billion yuan on traffic noise control from 2002 to 2007. According to the Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau, themoney will be used to curb noise pollution in the city, which at times reaches 71 decibels, the highest among China's four municipalities: Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai and Chongqing.

Related local departments have started joint efforts to curb traffic noise by improving traffic management and road conditions,with the theme of protecting the environment and people's health.

China's traffic noise regulations stipulate a maximum of 70 decibels in urban areas.

(People's Daily January 04, 2002)