Around Town: Your News Round-Up For The Month Of July
Subsidy For Eco-Friendly Cars
If you have worked in the Minghang District for more than two years, there is goodnews: the district has announced that it will be offering an additional RMB 20000 – in addition to the RMB 60000 national subsidy – for buyers of new- energy cars in a test operation. This year, through a commitment to promote eco-friendly transportation, China plans to provide an additional 35000 electric cars and 25000 hybrid vehicles. The government is still sorting out the vehicle electric charging details, but for those who can access the necessary electricity, this new eco- friendly subsidy could save an average of RMB 1000 per month.
The Green Blacklist
Shanghai is taking environmental protection seriously. The Shanghai Environmental Protection Bureau has announced that 259 local companies have been blacklisted for violating city regulations throughout the past three months. Violations included water pollution, dumping solid waste and regulations on air. All of these companies will face consequences and be punished – in addition to having strict supervision enforced at their businesses. Residents can take comfort in the fact that pollution regulation is positively being enacted.
Helicopters, speedboats And Island Protection
The uninhabited islands near Shanghai are now under helicopter, speedboat and surveillance cameras. If intruders are recorded on surveillance footage, Shanghai will immediately dispatch speedboats and helicopters carrying law enforcement personnel. This new protection has been rolled out in an effort to stop tourists and locals from illegally landing and to protect the islands’ ecology. Since these islands are listed as city-level protected land, it is the city’s responsibility to ensure that no risks are taken when it comes to the natural, rare ecosystems of the small islands.
Moped And Scooter Licenses
Scooter and moped riders be warned: our friendly neighbourhood police are reminding us that mopeds and scooters must get a license
plate before 1 September. After
this date, riders will be required
to obtain a license in order to continue riding on the city streets. As of last month, however, only 1.69 million applications, of an estimated 5 million mopeds and scooters in Shanghai, had been received. The plates – which are free – will be under regulation in an attempt to eventually only see approved models on the roads, based on safety and environmental standards. Unlicensed mopeds and scooters will be punished with a fine between RMB 50 to RMB 200. More than 150 service centres are open to take applications for the license plates, which can be obtained by providing proof of identity and a vehicle receipt.
