Beijing News You Might Have Missed this Week, Nov 20

Beijing is a happening city! Don't miss a thing with our weekend roundup of the latest news.

Beijing transport authority plans to widen bike paths: The municipal transport commission has said it will widen bike lanes from two to three meters citywide. The move is part of a five-year plan for changes within the Second Ring Road that should see travel by bicycle become easier – including widening over 3,000 kilometers of bike paths and installing special traffic lights to make turning left at intersections a little safer.

New anti-monopoly bureau established in the capital: China opened its Anti-Monopoly Bureau this Thursday, Nov 18, in the same building as the State Administration of Market Regulation in Xicheng District. Once managed by the State Council, the responsibility of overseeing the country’s anti-monopoly regulations has been put in the hands of the new bureau in an effort to “create a fair, transparent and predictable competitive landscape for… Chinese market participants,” Xinhua News reported.

City to integrate COVID test results, health codes, and ticket checks at train stations: Beijing is cooperating with the country’s railway department to integrate nucleic acid test result checks, health code checks, and ticket checks at railway stations, by storing the data in passenger’s ID cards. The mechanism is meant to streamline processes for individuals who travel between Beijing and destinations outside the city on a regular basis. For the time being, however, it seems the mechanism will be for Chinese passengers only.

More cold weather expected this weekend: A cold wave has been forecast for many parts of the country over the weekend, with more than 20 cities, including Beijing, expected to see temperatures drop 10 degrees Celsius, and even more areas expected to see temperature drops from Nov 22-23. It’s also likely the cold wave will bring blizzards to parts of northeast China.

READ: Beijing News You Might Have Missed This Week, Nov 13

Images: China Daily, Global Times, Reuters