Traffic backs up as city hosts summit

Shanghai saw traffic jams on some major roads on Tuesday after it put traffic restrictions in place for the Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, held in Shanghai on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The city has placed restrictions on major roads, railways and ferries. Additionally, city landmarks such as People's Square, Lujiazui and the World Expo site will be off-limits to pedestrians and vehicles at certain times during the summit.

Restrictions on vehicles also are in place for some major roads in the city's downtown areas, as well as elevated highways and tunnels.

Such traffic restrictions have caused traffic jams on some roads, but the situation is expected to ease on Wednesday because parts of departments and units in the city will have one day off.

Earlier, the municipal government announced that government departments, educational bodies and social units would have a day off on Wednesday while the city hosts the summit. It also said other companies and institutions can decide for themselves whether to take the day off. The move is to ensure a smooth operation of the summit.