China's highways will transport 2 billion people during the Spring Festival on Feb. 18, up 5 percent on the same period of last year, the Ministry of Communications said in Beijing on Friday.

 

An official with the ministry said that festival travel will start around Feb. 3, 2007 and last 40 days.

 

Since most people go home for family reunions during the Spring Festival -- China's lunar New Year -- China's transport authorities have to take measures to keep vehicle flows fluid.

 

The ministry asked departments at all levels to carry out safety inspections to prevent road accidents during the holiday period.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 31, 2006)