The traffic situation in Beijing seems to be at breaking point. If this sounds at all melodramatic, then have a look at this report which says that last Friday 140 roads were at a standstill. Roads here are big – so that’s most of the city. The evening rush “hour” lasts from 5pm until at least 9pm. That means something close to ten million people are stuck in traffic for at least an hour, probably a lot more.

The holiday is coming up now – this means that the usual regulations restricting which cars can be used on which days will be relaxed. So things will get worse, then? How can they possibly be worse? We’ll just have to see.