S China city's car restrictions spark panic, buying blitz

The hordes of people waiting outside the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center this week aren't there to see a famous artist or attend the latest job fair.

Rather, residents in the southern metropolis of Shenzhen have flooded the location to obtain certificates proving they bought their cars before 6 p.m., Dec. 29, when Shenzhen suddenly placed a cap on car purchases.

Buyers who purchase cars after that time will have to get their new car plates by lottery or auction, according to city authorities, who announced the purchase limitation 20 minutes before the policy took effect.

The restriction, aimed at easing congestion, took many by surprise and fueled panic among locals.

A resident surnamed Zhang said that after hearing about the policy, he rushed to an automobile dealer and bought the car he had always hesitated to buy. He paid an extra 20,000 yuan (3,218 US dollars) for it, as sellers tried to profit from panicked buyers.

"The sudden restriction is too rude," said one resident. "As a local citizen, I only hope the coming lottery will be just and fair."

Rumors about a possible car purchase restriction had swirled prior to the official announcement, fueling a spike in license registrations in Shenzhen. According to official statistics, some 42,000 cars were registered during the first 20 days of December, a monthly expansion of 132 percent.

There are more than 3.1 million vehicles in Shenzhen, with 4 million expected in 2016, which will prolong the average evening commute from 55 minutes in 2014 to 92 minutes in 2016, according to a municipal government statement.

In 2014, the Shenzhen government repeatedly said it would not impose car restrictions, leading many locals to take the sudden move as a slap in the face. Local officials explained the urgent measure was aimed at restraining car numbers while curtailing traffic jams and environmental woes. But many question whether the restriction will work as expected.