Number plate auctions could be axed
Shanghai officials said they were unaware of a rumoured move by the central government to end the city's lucrative auctions of car number plates, adding such sales boosted revenue.
Prices for the plates have reached an average of more than 43,000 yuan, sparking complaints.
Media reports said a policy being drafted by the State Development and Reform Commission might bar auctions of number plates nationwide.
A spokeswoman for the commission in Beijing said such a decision would require approval of the State Council.
City government spokeswoman Jiao Yang said she was unaware of the drafting of such a policy change.
Officials of the auction company echoed her comments.
Auctions were needed to raise revenue for the city and control the number of vehicles, Ms Jiao said.
'Shanghai will implement the principle of appropriately controlling the number of cars in the city centre,' she said.
