License fever in Hangzhou

Residents swarmed to get vehicle license plates in East China's Hangzhou city on Tuesday after the city announced that it will restrict the issuance of new car licenses from Wednesday, making it the sixth Chinese city to clamp down on car ownership in a bid to ease traffic congestion and combat air pollution.

A man reportedly planned to buy 200 vans before the new restriction, but could only buy 70 due to lack of stock.

According to a press statement, the city will restrict the number of plates issued every year to 80,000, among which 80 percent will be decided by lottery. The remaining 20 percent will be auctioned with a starting price of 10,000 yuan ($1,628) each.